Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola have provided an update on Florian Wirtz ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea after the forward picked up a knock against Brighton
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has given an update on Florian Wirtz, and suggested that he will be available to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Wirtz was brought off shortly after the hour mark of Sunday's 2-0 win over Brighton, having effectively opened the scoring at Anfield as his effort was deflected in for an own goal from Pascal Gross.
The German international required treatment and looked to be in some discomfort after twisting his ankle in a challenge, although Iraola indicated after the game that the issue didn't appear to be too serious. He backed up that view as he spoke to the media on Tuesday, despite having not yet seen Wirtz in training.
"He was quite fine, I think Florian, I'm quite optimistic he will be available," Iraola said in his press conference ahead of facing Chelsea.
The Liverpool boss also gave updates on Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz, with the pair looking less likely to feature as they continue their recoveries after picking up injuries at Brentford.
"With Dom and Victor, I'm not so sure. I don't want to say no, but it's going to be more difficult than Florian," Iraola said.
The Liverpool boss has indicated he will once again rotate his squad against Chelsea, much as he did against Tottenham in the previous round of the competition.
Dominik Szoboszlai is a doubt again for Liverpool's game against Chelsea(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Iraola made a raft of changes for the Reds' 3-1 win over Spurs last month, with a number of high-profile players being rested, and he has no plans to divert from that plan, even with a first piece of silverware as Liverpool boss up for grabs.
"There will definitely be changes, but we want to win the game," Iraola said. "We want to be competitive. We need to see how the legs are.
"Not just in the Carabao Cup but in the Champions League, we've been trying to make some changes from game to game because I think it’s almost mandatory.
"We want to be in the next round. We have been unlucky in the draw, playing Chelsea, and they've been unlucky also. But we want to earn the right to be in the draw again and that can only happen if you win."
He added: "It's the same for everyone. You don't have time. We don't have time, Chelsea doesn't have time, Arsenal doesn't. It makes a big difference if you have one more day.
"Against Brighton we were lucky as we had more days. Everything has to be done on video if you don't have time to prepare. Chelsea, Arsenal, Palace, definitely we have less time to rest than the opposition but sometimes you have to adapt. You cannot overthink. It's a matter of adaptation."
