Liverpool manager Arne Slot has offered a positive update on the fitness of midfielder Florian Wirtz, suggesting the German international could be available for a limited appearance in Friday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This comes as Slot openly addressed Liverpool's recent struggles in attack, which have coincided with Wirtz's absence from the squad.
Wirtz's Potential Return Offers Glimmer of Hope
Florian Wirtz has been sidelined since suffering an injury during the warm-up ahead of Liverpool's victory over Nottingham Forest on February 22nd. The 22-year-old has subsequently missed three matches, including the recent 2-1 Premier League defeat to Wolves. However, Slot revealed that Wirtz has made significant progress in his rehabilitation.
"He trained half and half with the team yesterday. He made the next step in rehab. Let's see where he is today. He could be available for a few minutes tomorrow in the best scenario," explained the Dutch manager, while confirming that all other players are fit. A cameo from Wirtz at Molineux would provide a timely boost to Liverpool's options in the final third.
Attacking Imbalance and Creative Concerns
Slot acknowledged that the team's attacking output has been inconsistent during Wirtz's spell on the sidelines. While Liverpool recorded an impressive 5-2 win over West Ham United in this period, questions have persisted regarding chance creation and the contributions of wide forwards Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.
The manager was keen to spread responsibility, stating, "Attacking isn't just down to Cody [Gakpo] and Mo [Salah]." However, he implicitly highlighted Wirtz's importance to the team's structure and fluidity. "One of the players who creates is Florian Wirtz. He got injured three games ago. Before that the team had a certain balance and we've had to adjust again. That's happened a lot this season," Slot elaborated.
He further contextualised the issue, noting the competitive nature of the Premier League. "Not all the games have improved in terms of creating chances. But we're not the only team that finds it hard to create from open play. It's the quality of the league that makes it more complicated."
Statistical Context and Forward Expectations
Despite the concerns, Slot pointed to some underlying metrics to defend his team's overall performance. "We are not in terms of chance creation last in the league. We're not doing that bad. We're also the team with most ball possession so you'd expect us to create more," he argued.
Nonetheless, he admitted that there are heightened expectations for his star attackers. "Cody and Mo we expect and they expect from themselves to score more. But attacking isn't just down to Cody and Mo," he reiterated, emphasising the collective nature of the team's offensive play.
Crucial Fixture Schedule Looms
The FA Cup clash at Molineux marks the beginning of a critical sequence of matches for Liverpool. A victory would secure a place in the competition's quarter-finals. This fixture is swiftly followed by a Champions League last-16 encounter with Galatasaray and a pivotal Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 15th.
The potential return of Florian Wirtz, even in a limited capacity, could therefore prove vital as Liverpool seeks to regain its attacking rhythm and navigate this demanding period across multiple competitions.
