Szoboszlai, Muñoz & Wirtz: Latest Liverpool injury news ahead of Chelsea showdown
The latest Liverpool injury news and expected return dates ahead of their midweek match against Chelsea - including an update on Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool have the chance to make it five wins on the bounce when they take on Chelsea in the fourth round of the EFL Cup this Wednesday – but their chances of victory may be dented by recent injury issues.
Florian Wirtz, whose form has been a major talking point over the course of the campaign so far, hobbled from the field during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion with an apparent knock, and he now becomes one of seven first-team players who are either out or doubts for the midweek match at Anfield.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Liverpool injury news and updates below, along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.
Will Florian Wirtz be fit to face Chelsea?
Florian Wirtz limped off shortly after the hour mark against Brighton having picked up what looked to be a knock to his ankle – and head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed that diagnosis immediately after the match.
“Unfortunately, he had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle,” Iraola told the media. “It doesn't look big, but we are playing every three days so we need to see where he is.”
A twisted ankle can be resolved in a matter of days, but even minor sprains can take up to three weeks to fully heal. As it stands, it is very unlikely that he plays against Chelsea on Wednesday, and his place in the squad for Liverpool’s next Premier League match against Arsenal is also uncertain.
Wirtz will undergo tests on Monday in order to assess the extent of the damage, and there is some hope that he avoided a significant sprain, but it would be a surprise if the German was fit to play in the EFL Cup game at Anfield.
Szoboszlai & Muñoz among other Liverpool injury doubts
Liverpool are also unlikely to be able to call upon either Dominik Szoboszlai or Victor Muñoz, both of whom missed the win over Brighton due to minor injuries.
Szoboszlai suffered a recurrence of a recent hamstring injury ahead of the weekend and while the issue is not severe, he is expected to be rested in midweek in the hope that he might be fit to face Arsenal. Summer signing Muñoz, meanwhile, picked up a knee injury against Brentford – the Spaniard should return to training this week, but remains a major doubt for the Chelsea match.
Right-backs Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Conor Bradley (knee) are both out of action, with Frimpong expected to target a return after the next international break – the derby game against Manchester United on 22 November is a possibility – while Bradley is more likely to make his comeback at some point in December.
Long-term injury victim Giovanni Leoni (ACL) suffered a setback during his rehabilitation which has delayed his return to full training, which is now expected to take place during the November break. The Italian could be back in the matchday squad in mid-to-late December barring further issues.
Striker Hugo Ekitiké, meanwhile, is said to be progressing “very well” as he recovers from a serious calf injury, according to Iraola, but no return date has yet been set for the Frenchman. Initial reports suggest that he will be back in training by the turn of the year.