Florian Wirtz won’t be in the Liverpool squad against West Ham (Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Liverpool return to Premier League duties this weekend but will be without several crucial players through injury. The Reds welcome West Ham to Anfield on Saturday afternoon as they pursue their ambition of securing next season’s Champions League football. Arne Slot‘s team enter the fixture following a 1-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest last weekend, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the winner in added time.
The Reds currently occupy sixth position in the Premier League standings, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and three adrift of Manchester United, who sit fourth. Liverpool will be eager to secure three points against the Hammers to strengthen their Champions League qualification prospects.
Ahead of the fixture, here’s a look at the Reds’ present injury situation and prospective return dates.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz won’t be available for Liverpool’s encounter against West Ham due to an injury that ruled him out of the victory over Nottingham Forest.
Wirtz sustained the injury during the warm-up at the City Ground and Slot has confessed he remains uncertain about the duration of the playmaker’s absence.
« Don’t expect Florian to be [available], which is a disappointment, every time my player isn’t available is a disappointment and I didn’t expect it, » the Dutchman said on Friday.
« No [idea how long he is out]. Usually I do but don’t want to share it, but I honestly don’t know.
« It’s a big accomplishment for him to stay fit for such a long time because he had to stay fit to make the step up, but unfortunately he is not available, which is a disappointment for him and for us because he played really well. »
Potential return date: Unknown
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong is poised to rejoin the Liverpool squad for the West Ham fixture following a spell out with a thigh injury.
Frimpong has been absent from Liverpool’s previous five fixtures due to the injury but has resumed training and is anticipated to be in contention to face the Hammers.
« Jeremie is OK, trained with us and is available, » Slot said.
Potential return date: West Ham (H) – Saturday, February 28
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak is progressing through his rehabilitation from a fractured fibula and ankle injury which required surgery back in December.
Slot indicated last week that he anticipates having Isak back in training either towards the end of March or the beginning of April, though declined to confirm when the striker would be match-ready.
« It will be somewhere around the international break, depends on if he gets a setback, » Slot said. « End of March, start of April, when he’s back with the group. Doesn’t mean he’s ready to start playing straight away. »
Potential return date: April
Arne Slot has been dealing with plenty of injury setbacks this season (Image: Getty)
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo sustained a foot injury during the victory over Sunderland earlier this month, with the Japan international departing the Stadium of Light on a stretcher.
No definite timescale for a comeback has been provided, though Slot will be hoping to have Endo back in contention before the campaign concludes.
« A foot injury, » Slot informed reporters earlier this month. « We still need to do some assessments, but it’s clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time. »
Potential return date: Unknown
Conor Bradley
Conor Bradley picked up a knee injury during the scoreless stalemate with Arsenal at the beginning of the year.
The Northern Ireland international is anticipated to remain sidelined for the remainder of the season with the problem, which necessitated surgical intervention.
Potential return date: Next season
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni suffered a knee injury on his Liverpool debut back in September, which will force the defender to miss the rest of the season.
The Reds will hope to have the £26million signing from Parma back in contention to feature once again this summer.
Potential return date: Next season
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