Arne Slot Provides Florian Wirtz Injury Update After Liverpool Beat Nottingham Forest

‎Arne Slot has reassured supporters that Florian Wirtz did not suffer a major injury despite being removed from the starting lineup shortly before Liverpool’s clash with Nottingham Forest. The German midfielder was initially named in the team but pulled out after experiencing discomfort during the warm-up.

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‎Arne Slot gives an update on Florian Wirtz’s injury after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, sealed by Alexis Mac Allister’s late strike.

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‎Liverpool replaced him with Curtis Jones and went on to edge the contest 1-0 at the City Ground. The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Alexis Mac Allister found the net in the 96th minute.

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‎Wirtz Forced Out Late

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‎Wirtz had been listed among the starters, but following pre-match preparations, he was withdrawn. Speaking afterward, Slot explained that the issue was not believed to be serious, though the player felt significant discomfort in his back.

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‎“We don’t think it is very serious, but he felt his back too much during the warm-up to start,” Slot said.

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‎He added that Wirtz was far from full fitness and could not operate at the required level. Slot suggested that after several months competing in the league, the midfielder now understands the necessity of being completely fit to perform effectively.

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‎Liverpool opted against risking him, with the manager expressing hope that the summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen would return next week, while acknowledging that recovery timelines can be unpredictable.

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‎Mac Allister’s Late Impact

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‎The victory became even more dramatic considering Mac Allister had a goal ruled out just minutes before scoring the winner. Undeterred, he responded by securing the crucial breakthrough.

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‎Despite the triumph, Liverpool remain sixth in the standings, level on goal difference with fourth-placed Chelsea. Manchester United could move three points clear should they defeat Everton.

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‎Mac Allister admitted to having mixed emotions.

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‎“I love scoring, I love winning, so in that sense I think it's a really good day,” he said. “But I don’t think we played very well. There are plenty of things to improve, but it’s always better when you win.”

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‎He revealed he had anticipated another opportunity after his disallowed effort and even told Hugo Ekitike that a goal was coming. That belief was rewarded when his later attempt crossed the line.

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‎The midfielder was critical of the team’s first-half display, highlighting poor positioning, lack of intensity, and ineffective pressing. However, he credited their defensive work inside the penalty area for keeping Forest at bay.

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‎Slot’s Half-Time Message

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‎Slot did not hide his frustration at the interval, describing the opening 45 minutes as the worst his side has produced under his leadership. He praised the team’s resilience in defending set-pieces and protecting their box but emphasized the need for improvement in possession.

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‎He encouraged greater energy in the second half, referencing their previous turnaround against Manchester City as evidence that better performances are possible after slow starts.

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‎Upcoming Fixtures

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‎Liverpool continue their push toward the top four with a home fixture against West Ham United on Saturday. They then travel to face bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers five days later, before returning to Molineux for an FA Cup fifth-round tie on March 6.