The second away game in Wolverhampton has become more explosive than expected for Liverpool FC. Will Florian Wirtz play a role this time?
When Arne Slot spoke again on Thursday about Liverpool’s recent defeat in Wolverhampton, it sounded like a cry for Florian Wirtz. “We had a lot of possession, but we weren’t able to create many chances.” After a string of positive results, the outcome was not only an embarrassing 1-2 defeat at the bottom of the Premier League, but also a debate about Liverpool’s recurring problems: a lack of ideas up front and vulnerability at the back. But at least Wirtz is back in the starting lineup. “He trained half and half with the team yesterday,” Slot reported ahead of Friday’s quick rematch with Wolves in the FA Cup round of 16. “By that I mean he was a ‘joker’, as I think you say here, so he has taken the next step in his recovery.”
Specifically, after missing three competitive games due to back problems, Wirtz has resumed partial team training and has the chance to be involved in Wolverhampton this time. “Let’s see how he is today and whether, in the best case scenario, he will be ready to play for a few – a few! – minutes tomorrow.”
Despite League Cup experience: Slot announces “a few” changes
Even though the second away game in three days at Molineaux Stadium has gained added significance due to the surprising slip-up, Slot will certainly not take any risks with Wirtz. After all, the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Galatasaray Istanbul is coming up on Tuesday.
For this reason, too, it is to be expected that Slot will rotate his starting eleven on Friday as usual in national cup competitions. The coach announced “a few, but not eleven” changes. In October, a B-team lineup for the Reds carelessly squandered a title chance when they were eliminated 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace in the League Cup round of 16. Alongside the Champions League, the FA Cup is the only remaining opportunity for Slot to avoid ending his second season at Anfield without a trophy.