Florian Wirtz injury latest as Arne Slot issues Liverpool update ahead of FA Cup test | OneFootball

Midfielder is nearing a first-team return as Reds eye revenge against Wolves

Comeback: Florian Wirtz

Getty Images

Florian Wirtz has stepped up his return from injury and could feature for Liverpool against Wolves this weekend.

The £116million midfielder has missed the last three matches with a back injury, but was able to join his team-mates in training on Wednesday.

Reds head coach Arne Slot delivered a positive update on Wirtz’s fitness on Thursday, but was keen to stress that any minutes at Molineux would be severely restricted.

"He trained half and half yesterday with the team," Slot said at his pre-match press conference. "What I mean with that is he was a 'joker', you say over here I think, so he made the next step in his rehab.

"So, let's see where he is today and if he then could be available for a few – a few – minutes tomorrow, in the best scenario."

Asked if the Liverpool players in action on Tuesday came through the game unscathed, Slot confirmed: "Yeah, I think they did. Until now they did."

Liverpool need to produce an instant response to Tuesday evening’s Premier League defeat away at Wolves, and head back to Molineux on Friday evening with a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals on the line.

"We have a few [options for changes] but we don't have 11 [alternative options],” Slot continued.

“I always have options to bring in and players we can bring in and let them start. Not for the first time this season, three days after a game where we have dropped points. I've seen us do quite a lot this season, we have to be better than we were last time."

He added: “We always find every trophy we can win very important. Champions League qualification is massive as we all know but tomorrow the FA Cup is on the line and that is a massive game for us."