Liverpool XI vs. Wolves: Wirtz Dilemma Continues—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

The Reds are not expected to have Florian Wirtz available for Tuesday’s game.

Florian Wirtz has missed Liverpool’s two most recent wins with a back issue. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Liverpool are out to claim a fourth successive Premier League victory on Tuesday night, as they visit a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that have found a groove under Rob Edwards’s stewardship.

The Reds’ winning run continued at home to West Ham United on Saturday, with their set-piece superiority inspiring a 5–2 victory that perhaps flattered the hosts.

Arne Slot’s side have at least rediscovered a winning habit, but they’re encountering a potential banana skin in midweek, given Wolves’ improvement.

The Premier League’s basement dwellers moved beyond Derby County’s record-low single-season points haul by beating Aston Villa on Friday night, and while the overwhelming majority have already condemned Wolves to the second tier, Edwards’s men are finally showing signs of life.

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Liverpool Still Missing Creative Spark

Wirtz is back. | Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

• ⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni.
• 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Florian Wirtz missed Liverpool’s previous two victories with the back injury he sustained ahead of kick-off at Nottingham Forest two Sundays ago and is expected to remain sidelined this week.

There were no fresh concerns from Saturday’s 5–2 triumph, and Jeremie Frimpong made his comeback off the bench. Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees for the champions.

There’s hope that Isak, who broke his leg in December, will be welcomed back at the start of April.

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Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. West Ham

Arne Slot is missing his star man. | FotMob

GK: Alisson—Liverpool’s No. 1 just about avoided disaster on Saturday, but his short clean sheet streak was broken when Tomáš Souček converted from close range.

RB: Joe Gomez—Slot must be cautious with the frail Frimpong, who may only be fit enough for another cameo appearance on Tuesday night. Thus, Gomez, who’s also battled injury issues this season, should retain his place.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—The Frenchman has enjoyed a run in the team, with his form steadying. Liverpool will hope to persuade Konaté to commit his future to the Reds soon.

CB: Virgil van Dijk— Liverpool’s captain has appeased FPL owners with his recent returns, and Wolves will certainly have to contain the in-form Van Dijk’s set-piece threat to help them pull off an unlikely victory.

LB: Andy Robertson—The Reds have six games to play before the international break, so Milos Kerkez is bound to share his minutes with Robertson this month.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—The rangy midfield lynchpin scarcely sits out a Premier League minute for Slot.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—After enduring arguably the worst season of his Liverpool career thus far, the World Cup winner has racked up two goals in successive Premier League appearances. Can he make it three on the spin.

RW: Mohamed Salah—The all-time Liverpool great was unable to contribute in a five-goal outing for the Reds, as set plays took hold. Salah’s influence is undoubtedly waning, and he doesn’t have a particularly strong record against Wolves, scoring six in 14 appearances.

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai—Szoboszlai has been here, there and everywhere for Liverpool this season, and has been the club’s standout performer so far. The Hungarian will likely remain unshackled from his fullback berth and should have plenty of freedom to maraud into the final third.

LW: Cody Gakpo—Gakpo’s excellent record against West Ham continued at the weekend, with his goal, in Slot’s mind, probably being enough to justify his selection in the starting lineup for the next few weeks.

ST: Hugo Ekitiké—Ekitiké ended a run of four games without a goal in some style last time out, as he opened the scoring before recording a pair of assists in Liverpool’s win. The Frenchman will keep his place up front in midweek.

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