Andoni Iraola says Florian Wirtz is a doubt for Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea after the playmaker was forced off in the Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion
Florian Wirtz is a doubt for Liverpool's Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday after twisting his ankle against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Germany star had a hand in the opening goal of the 2-0 win over the Seagulls, firing in a deflected shot that went down as an own goal by Pascal Gross.
Alexander Isak doubled the advantage in the first half before Wirtz was withdrawn for Trey Nyoni after 65 minutes after going down injured.
Chelsea arrive on Merseyside for the fourth-round tie on Wednesday but Iraola conceded his in-form playmaker is now a doubt for that match and may be held in reserve ahead of a huge visit from Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, November 1.
"Unfortunately, Flo had to leave the pitch with a small twist of the ankle," said the Liverpool head coach, who was celebrating his first league victory at home, and a fourth success on the run in all competitions. "It doesn't look very big but we are playing every three days so we need to see where he is.
"I'm very happy for today, very happy overall for this fourth win. I think we faced a very good opposition, similar to Villarreal the other day.
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"Teams that technically are really good. It's difficult to defend them a lot of times and I think it was key how we started today.
"We needed a strong start, to be aggressive, recover balls, win our duels, be dangerous in transitions, and I think we've done it.
"It has been a different game from the last ones, where we've conceded first. After, you need the comeback. Today I think we've started better and the game has gone differently."
On Isak, who has now scored six goals in the Premier League this season, Iraola added: "Yes, Alex, I think he's a striker, if we can put him in those positions, we can provide him good crosses, good situations, he will score the goals.
"I think it's a matter of, in this case, Bradley (Barcola), winning the duel, going 1v1, being faster than the opposition and finding good spots, yes."
