Liverpool's 100 million pound signing Florian Wirtz was forced off with a twisted ankle in the second half of Saturday's win over Brighton, adding to the club's growing injury list. The German's deflected shot had opened the scoring before he limped off, with head coach Andoni Iraola describing the problem as minor.
Wirtz and Szoboszlai latest
Speaking at full time, Iraola said the twist appeared minor and that he hoped it would not keep Wirtz out for long. "Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle. It doesn't look big, but we'll see," the Spaniard explained. Wirtz could return for the Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Chelsea on Wednesday or the Premier League meeting with Arsenal on November 1.
Dominik Szoboszlai is contending with a hamstring injury that has now seen him miss four matches. He was ruled out for meetings with Manchester City and LASK, returned against Brentford but lasted barely half an hour before being forced off again. Iraola confirmed the Hungarian midfielder reaggravated the same problem, and he subsequently missed matches with Villarreal and Brighton.
Munoz and Frimpong concerns
Victor Munoz suffered a knee injury against Brentford that has kept him sidelined for over a week. Described only as a knock, it was severe enough to rule him out of the Brighton match. "It was too early the other day against Villarreal, and I think it is going to be difficult [for Brighton] but I really don't know," Iraola said on Friday, though he suggested the Spanish winger might be closing in on a return for the Chelsea or Arsenal fixtures.
Jeremie Frimpong is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained shortly after his introduction against Brentford. Iraola said the Dutch fullback would likely be ruled out until after the November international break: "Jeremie Frimpong is obviously a new muscle injury and it happened, I think, in the second or third minute he was playing, difficult to predict and we will have to wait until he recovers. But it's going to be difficult, I think, before the [November international] break."
Long-term absentees
Hugo Ekitike is closing in on a return after tearing his Achilles tendon in April. He underwent surgery and has been rehabbing in Kirkby, with Iraola saying last week the Frenchman is "doing very well" and a little behind Conor Bradley's return timeline. He could return in November or December.
Conor Bradley is also progressing from the serious knee injury he sustained against Arsenal in January. Iraola confirmed he is making progress, saying: "Conor is not so far from training with the group – not like full training but doing some things with the group." A return to competitive play is not likely until after the November international break.
Giovanni Leoni tore his ACL on his Liverpool debut last year. Iraola has told reporters he is not recovering quite as quickly as hoped, with a delay of around one month, but he is on track to return to team training after the November international break, with a potential return in December.
