Florian Wirtz gives cryptic injury update as Liverpool wait on forward

The German missed Sunday's win over Nottingham Forest, and the Reds lacked creativity in his absence. Wirtz is clearly working on his recovery ahead of this weekend's home game against West Ham

Florian Wirtz has shared a cryptic injury update(Image: Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz shared a post on social media showing the Liverpool star recuperating in the sauna, as supporters eagerly await an update on his back injury.

The 22-year-old was forced to drop out of the Reds line-up at the 11th hour before Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, with Curtis Jones replacing him in the line-up.

Arne Slot said post-match that he does not expect it to be a long-term issue, and Liverpool fans will hope the German is back in time to feature against West Ham United on Saturday. The Reds lacked fluidity and creativity without Wirtz in the side.

Slot was forced to switch Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai after 30 minutes, with the latter moving into an attacking midfield role.

Wirtz’s social media post gives no indication of whether he is working on his recovery or has already recuperated. Liverpool's no.7 uploaded a cryptic picture of himself with the battery and shaking hands emoji.

It’s unlikely an update on Wirtz’s fitness will be provided before Friday’s pre-match press conference, but speaking after the Forest win, Slot said: “We don’t think it is very serious. He felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn’t able to be 100 percent or close to 100 percent.

Wirtz picked up an injury during Liverpool's warm-up(Image: Getty Images)

“I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months that no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100 per cent at this level.

“So we decided not to play him but hope and expect him to be with us next week.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher felt Wirtz’s absence contributed to Liverpool’s disjointed display at the City Ground and said the ex-Bayer Leverkusen’s creativity has become imperative.

Wirtz uploaded this image to his Instagram story

“In the second half of the season, Wirtz has been fantastic,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “But he still doesn't have the numbers to back it up.

“But you still love to watch him play football. There's no doubt we're seeing his real quality now. He's influencing the game.

“At Sunderland, no one had won there before. He didn't get the goal or the assist, but if you watch that game, he was the best player on the pitch.

“Wirtz and [Hugo] Ekitike are doing well at the moment. But you feel they would need to go up another level to get Liverpool back in the title race next season.”