Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the club faces a longer wait regarding Florian Wirtz’s return to action. Despite hopes that the Germany attacker would be ready for Saturday’s clash with West Ham, Slot revealed that Wirtz’s recovery is still ongoing.
“Jeremie is OK, trained with us and is available,” Slot said, referring to wing-back Jeremie Frimpong’s fitness. “Don’t expect Florian to be [available], which is a disappointment.” He added, “It’s a big accomplishment for him to stay fit for such a long time, but unfortunately he is not available. It’s disappointing for him and for us, as he played really well.”
Slot’s Thoughts on West Ham
Liverpool will host West Ham at Anfield, where they sit in sixth place in the Premier League, three points behind the top four. Slot expressed his team’s focus, saying, “We are not focused on other teams, only ourselves. We need to win a lot of games because our teams will, and that is where our focus is. Not so much about points and gaps, although we are aware of the table.”
Slot acknowledged the challenge West Ham presents, especially given Liverpool’s struggles against teams in the bottom half of the table this season. He said, “We understand how difficult winning games is, regardless of position. It’s not just us; other top teams also struggle, as we saw in our game against Forest.”
Alisson’s Future and Salah’s Form
Slot also addressed questions surrounding two of Liverpool’s senior players. Brazil goalkeeper Alisson has been linked with a move to Juventus, with reports suggesting a potential summer transfer. Slot spoke highly of his goalkeeper: “In an ideal world, you don’t need the goalkeeper because you defend so well, but the good thing is if we do, we have an outstanding one.”
Regarding Mohamed Salah, who has been criticized for his form in recent weeks, Slot said, “He set his own standards, and they are so, so, so high. The moment he doesn’t score for a few games, people are surprised. That is the big compliment. We know Mo will always score again.”
Liverpool’s Home Form
Slot also acknowledged Liverpool’s struggle to start matches quickly at home. “It’s never down to our approach,” Slot explained. “When I had to play at Anfield, I would 100% ask my players to slow the game down and try to calm the fans. That is what other teams do, which is fair. We have to find the moments to create.”
Liverpool’s form at Anfield this season has been inconsistent, and Slot is determined to find a solution to improve their home performances.
Looking Ahead to West Ham
Liverpool’s focus now shifts to their upcoming clash with West Ham, a vital fixture as they aim to climb back into the top four. The match at Anfield promises to be another test for Slot’s side, and the manager is focused on securing the three points.
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