Liverpool F.C. midfielder Florian Wirtz will miss the upcoming Premier League clash against West Ham United F.C. due to a lingering back injury sustained during the warm-up before the Nottingham Forest fixture. Softfootball reports.
According to a post made by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, manager Arne Slot admitted there is genuine uncertainty surrounding Wirtz’s return timeline. Slot’s unusually cautious tone contrasts with his typical optimism regarding player fitness, suggesting the issue may be more serious than initially anticipated.
Romano posted:
Florian Wirtz will not be available for Liverpool next game against West Ham. “At this moment of time, I don’t know when Flo will be back”, says Arne Slot. “Usually when I say that, I do know and I don’t want to share that. But this time, I honestly don’t know”.
Wirtz has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers over the last 10 to 15 matches, contributing decisive goals and assists as the defending champions pushed to maintain momentum. The 2025 German Football Player of the Year had already begun justifying his reported £116 million move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen last summer.
The setback has raised fresh concerns, especially given the German star’s impressive run of form in recent weeks. He recently scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., a moment that symbolized his growing influence in English football.
The injury news also comes amid renewed speculation linking Wirtz with a potential future move to Real Madrid CF. Reports suggest his agent has expressed long-term ambitions of playing in Spain, despite the midfielder only recently settling at Anfield.
For Liverpool supporters, the timing could hardly be worse. With domestic and European ambitions still alive, Wirtz’s creativity and composure have been central to the team’s rhythm. Slot and his medical staff now face the delicate task of ensuring full recovery without risking further complications.
