Liverpool have been dealt a fresh concern ahead of their Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven, as new signing Florian Wirtz was nowhere to be seen during Tuesday’s training session at Kirkby.
The German midfielder, who missed the defeat to Nottingham Forest with a muscle complaint, had initially been expected to recover quickly. Arne Slot had sounded optimistic over the weekend that the £62m summer arrival wouldn’t face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Those hopes appear to have taken a hit.
According to reports, Liverpool’s No. 7 did not participate in the final training session before Wednesday night’s crucial European fixture—raising serious doubts over his availability for the match. With the Reds desperate to restore confidence after a difficult run, Wirtz’s likely absence could not come at a worse time.
Youngster Returns From Loan to Join First-Team Training
While Wirtz’s situation is a blow, there was a positive sight at Kirkby:
James Norris, recently back from a loan spell with Shelbourne in the League of Ireland, trained with the senior squad.
The 22-year-old full-back returned to Merseyside after Shelbourne’s league campaign concluded earlier this month—having even featured in European competition for the Dublin side in the Conference League. His final outing there ended on a sour note with a red card, but his reintroduction to Liverpool training suggests he remains on the club’s radar.
However, Norris won’t be eligible for the Champions League league phase as he’s not registered in the main UEFA squad and is too old to qualify for List B. He has made just two senior appearances for Liverpool so far, the last of which came nearly four years ago.
A January move—either temporary or permanent—looks likely, though consistent game time in Ireland may boost his chances of securing another solid opportunity in 2026.
Wirtz Facing a Race Against Time
Wirtz had delivered arguably his strongest showing in a Liverpool shirt during the previous Champions League meeting with Real Madrid, making the timing of this setback particularly frustrating. Slot is expected to provide further clarity in his press conference, but all signs currently point to the 22-year-old missing the PSV encounter and potentially targeting a return against West Ham next weekend.
With Liverpool in need of a spark, the absence of their creative playmaker adds another unwelcome layer of uncertainty heading into a must-win European night at Anfield.
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