Liverpool fans will have to wait a little longer for the return of their star playmaker. In his pre-match press conference on Monday, March 2, 2026, head coach Arne Slot confirmed that Florian Wirtz is set to miss both of Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers this week.
The German international, who has been a revelation since his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, continues to struggle with a back injury sustained during the pre-match warm-up against Nottingham Forest two weeks ago.
The Recovery Timeline: When Will He Return?
Slot was candid about the situation, noting that while the injury isn't considered "long-term," the immediate schedule is simply coming too soon for a player of Wirtz's importance to be risked.
Match,Date,Status
Wolves (A)
Wolves (A)
Galatasaray (A)
Tottenham (H)
"The game tomorrow will probably come too soon and maybe the game at the weekend as well. We hope to have him back somewhere next week." — Arne Slot on Monday morning.
Impact on the "Slot Machine"
Wirtz has been the creative heartbeat of Liverpool's 2026 surge, racking up 4 goals and 2 assists in January alone. His absence forces a tactical reshuffle for the Wolves double-header:
Szoboszlai’s Shift: With Wirtz out, Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to continue in the "No. 10" role, having performed admirably in the 5–2 thrashing of West Ham on Saturday.
The Set-Piece Pivot: Without Wirtz’s open-play wizardry, Liverpool relied heavily on set-pieces against the Hammers. Expect more of the same as the Reds lean on the delivery of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister.
Squad Rotation: With Alexander Isak also sidelined (broken leg), the attacking burden shifts to Darwin Nuñez and Cody Gakpo, who must find their clinical edge during this congested week.
The Verdict: While it’s frustrating to lose a player of Wirtz's caliber during a crucial week, Slot’s decision to prioritize the Champions League trip to Galatasaray shows the long-term vision. Liverpool have enough depth to handle a bottom-placed Wolves side, provided their set-piece dominance continues.