Florian Wirtz injury update after late withdrawal from Nottingham Forest win

Florian Wirtz was a late withdrawal from Liverpool’s dramatic 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest after feeling a back problem in the warm-up; wirtz had initially been named in the starting line-up but was replaced by Curtis Jones before kick-off.

Wirtz late withdrawal and back issue

The No. 7 was included in the Reds' starting XI for the match at the City Ground but reported a back issue during the pre-match warm-up. He left the pitch during drills following a discussion with coaching staff, was seen shaking his head and walked down the tunnel. Wirtz later reappeared to watch the game from behind the Liverpool dugout.

Arne Slot's assessment of the problem

Manager Arne Slot said the injury that ruled Wirtz out is not thought to be very serious. Slot explained that Wirtz felt his back too much in the warm-up to start and was not at 100 per cent, or even close to 100 per cent, so the decision was taken not to play him. Slot added that after being in this league for six, seven or eight months, Wirtz understands the need to be fully fit at this level. The manager said the club hope and expect he will be available again next week but acknowledged that you never know how things work out.

How the XI shifted: Jones, Szoboszlai and positional tweaks

Curtis Jones came into the starting line-up to replace Wirtz prior to kick-off. Jones had been among those affected by selection changes: he had played right-back the previous Saturday but was moved into midfield for this match, while Dominik Szoboszlai operated in a defensive role. Curtis Jones had produced a starring performance in the recent win over Brighton, and his late inclusion here meant a reshuffle of positions across the team.

Wirtz's recent form and reaction in the dressing room

After a slow start to the season, Wirtz has become crucial to Liverpool’s attacking play, registering 11 goal involvements in his past 18 games in all competitions. The timing of the warm-up withdrawal drew a strong reaction from pundits and former players, with one commentator calling it a big blow and noting that Wirtz has been the player knitting everything together. That commentator contrasted Curtis Jones as a central midfield option with Wirtz’s role as a No. 10 between the lines, underlining the specific type of creative influence Liverpool will miss while he is absent.

Context from recent performances beyond Forest

Recent highlights have shown Wirtz shining in other fixtures, including a standout display as Liverpool claimed a crucial win against Newcastle. He was also involved in an action that left the Qarabag keeper with no chance to double Liverpool’s lead in another match. Those contributions frame the concern around his late withdrawal at the City Ground.

What this means for Liverpool and the immediate outlook

Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest and drew level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United as a result of that win. The club have described the back issue as not thought to be very serious and expect Wirtz to be available again next week, though there is an explicit caveat that outcomes can change. For now, the squad will press on with the adjusted midfield configuration that saw Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai occupy different roles for this match.

Developing: recent updates indicate the club view the injury as unlikely to be serious, but details may evolve ahead of the next match.