MatchLiverpool v West Ham United: Team news

Arne Slot delivered mixed news on the duo during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

Wirtz is ruled out of Saturday’s meeting as he has not recovered from the back issue that forced him to sit out of last weekend’s win at Nottingham Forest. The No.7 was withdrawn from the starting line-up after the warm-up at the City Ground.

However, Frimpong – who has been absent for the Reds’ last five fixtures due to injury – is fit to return.

Slot said: “Jeremie is [available]. He trained with us a few times this week so he is available.

“I don’t expect Florian to be available so that’s a disappointment, of course. Every time a player is not available it’s a disappointment and it’s also something I didn’t expect after last week but that’s sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way.”

When asked if he could estimate when Wirtz will be ready to play again, the head coach replied: “No, at this moment of time, no – and usually when I say that I do know that but I don’t want to share it! But now I honestly don’t know.”

Slot added: “It’s definitely a shame. He has rhythm, of course, and in my opinion it’s already a big accomplishment of him that he stayed fit for such a long time because he had to make a step from where he played towards Liverpool, towards the Premier League, and that he stayed fit tells you a lot about the mentality and work-rate of a player, and the performance staff.

“But unfortunately last week and this week he’s not available – and that is indeed a disappointment for him, but also for us because he played really, really, really well lately.”

West Ham, meanwhile, look set to be without forward Pablo Felipe, who has missed their last three games due to a calf injury.

Midfielder Freddie Potts is suspended for the visitors.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo held his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon and said: “He [Pablo] didn’t join us yet. He’s starting his individual programme, so he’s improving day by day. We’ll keep assessing him and see when he can return. Hopefully it’s soon, because we miss him.”

On the fitness of the rest of his squad, Nuno added: “There are always things to assess. We have another training session tomorrow [Friday] and then we will travel.”

Both sides have long-term injury absentees: Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni for Liverpool, and Lukasz Fabianski for West Ham.

Last match

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (February 22): Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.

West Ham 0-0 Bournemouth (February 21): Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Magassa, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville, Castellanos.