Liverpool’s injury concerns have deepened at the worst possible moment, with Arne Slot confirming a major double setback just as the team prepares for a demanding run of fixtures.
During his latest press conference, the Liverpool boss revealed that Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz will both miss the clash against Nottingham Forest, describing the situation as “far from ideal” following the international break.
Wirtz’s Absence Adds to Growing Concerns
Wirtz’s unavailability comes during a period when the German playmaker has already been under scrutiny back home. Just days earlier, Sport Bild questioned his relatively quiet start to life at Anfield and even suggested that Mo Salah had overlooked him in certain attacking moves.
Now, that conversation overlaps with a muscle problem which Slot believes “shouldn’t keep him out for too long.” Even so, losing a player of Wirtz’s creativity at a time when Liverpool have struggled to carve out clear chances is a significant blow.
Bradley Facing Longer Spell on the Sidelines
Bradley’s injury is much more worrying. The Northern Ireland defender could be sidelined for around 22 days, unless—according to Slot—“a miracle happens.”
His setback comes shortly after he was deployed in an unusually advanced role for his national team, at times appearing as the furthest forward player. That experiment was already sparking tactical discussions at Liverpool, but the club must now consider alternative solutions altogether.
Forced Changes Loom as Squad Depth Tightens
With Jeremie Frimpong also unavailable, Slot hinted that Liverpool may see “one or two players” operating outside their comfort zones in the coming games. Joe Gomez was mentioned as a possible stand-in, though concerns were raised about his workload given he has only completed two full matches in 2025.
The mounting injuries leave Liverpool with very little margin for error over the next three weeks, especially following the defeat to Manchester City where depth issues were already exposed.
Some Positives — But Not Enough to Ease Concerns
On the brighter side, Alisson Becker has returned to full training, while Andy Robertson is now back involved with the squad. However, those positives are overshadowed by the loss of both Bradley and Wirtz, highlighting how fast the situation can shift during a long season.
Slot summed it up bluntly: “We do have some issues after the international break.”
With tactical reshuffles now unavoidable, the upcoming matches may reveal more about Liverpool’s resilience and versatility than any of their earlier victories this campaign.
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