Liverpool have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with PSV Eindhoven, with record signing Florian Wirtz confirmed absent after missing Tuesday's training session.
Injury Crisis Deepens for Reds
The German international, who joined the Merseyside club for £116 million, sustained his injury during the recent international break and subsequently missed Liverpool's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Wirtz's absence from the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday confirmed manager Arne Slot's worst fears, ruling the 22-year-old out of Wednesday's European fixture entirely.
Defensive Worries Mount
The situation compounds Liverpool's selection headaches, with right-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley also unavailable for the crucial match.
Frimpong has been sidelined for over a month already, and according to Daily Mail Sport reports, the defender is expected to remain in the treatment room for more than six weeks.
Bradley's return is anticipated slightly sooner, though he won't be available for selection for another fortnight.
Champions League Ambitions
Wirtz's absence is particularly frustrating given his impressive form in Europe's premier competition. Despite struggling to find consistency in domestic matches, the young playmaker has delivered his finest performances in the Champions League.
Liverpool currently sit in a strong position in their group, having won three of their four Champions League matches this season. Victory against Dutch league leaders PSV would represent a significant step toward securing a place in the competition's top eight.
The timing of these injuries couldn't be worse for Slot, who must now reshuffle his pack for one of Liverpool's most important fixtures of the campaign.
