Arne Slot hopeful Florian Wirtz will return for Liverpool next week after back issue

Arne Slot is hoping Florian Wirtz will be available for Liverpool next week after missing Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest with a back injury.

The Germany international was named in the starting line-up but had to be withdrawn shortly before kick-off after feeling discomfort in the warm-up.

Wirtz was replaced by Curtis Jones but Slot says the setback isn’t serious and is hoping for some positive news in the days ahead.

“He felt his back in the warm-up,” Slot said after the match. “We don’t think it’s serious. He wasn’t able to be 100 per cent or close enough to it to start.

“After being in this league for six months, he knows no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100 per cent.

“We hope he’ll be with us next week.”

After a slow start to his Liverpool career, Wirtz has impressed in recent months, scoring six goals in his last 14 appearances in all competitions.

The £116million summer signing had started the last 14 Premier League games but had to watch from the sidelines as Liverpool snatched a late win at the City Ground.