Liverpool Hit by Injury Setbacks as Slot Confirms Wirtz & Bradley Out — Alisson Returns to Boost Reds**
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed update ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, revealing both encouraging and worrying developments within the squad. While the return of goalkeeper Alisson Becker offers a major boost, the Reds will be without several key players, including Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley, who have been ruled out following the international break.
Slot confirmed that Andy Robertson missed training due to private reasons but is expected to rejoin the squad swiftly. However, the larger concern surrounds the injury list, which has grown longer at a critical stage of Liverpool’s season. Both Wirtz and Bradley are sidelined with muscle issues, with the manager suggesting that Bradley could be absent for at least 22 days. Wirtz, on the other hand, is not expected to be out for as long, but his absence still poses a significant tactical setback.
The Dutch coach also addressed the situation with Jeremie Frimpong, who is set to miss a similar period of two to three weeks. This leaves Liverpool short-handed in the full-back positions, raising questions about how Slot will adjust his defensive structure. With multiple right-back options unavailable, the manager acknowledged that the upcoming lineup choices will draw a lot of attention. Decisions such as whether Joe Gomez steps into the role or whether midfielders are shifted wide will have major implications on Liverpool’s shape and stability.
Despite the injury problems, the mood around the squad is lifted by the return of Alisson Becker, who has completed full training sessions over the past week. His presence between the posts is crucial, particularly in a match where Nottingham Forest are likely to sit deep, absorb pressure, and try to break quickly. Slot emphasized that Alisson will start if he responds well during the final training checks, indicating that the Brazilian is fit and ready to return to competitive action.
With Liverpool juggling injuries and tactical reshuffling, the game against Forest becomes not just another league fixture but a test of Slot’s adaptability and squad depth. The manager’s ability to manage these challenges and keep the team competitive will be vital as the Reds continue their push in a demanding Premier League campaign
