Slot Updates Wirtz Injury, Issues Warning Ahead Of Double Wolves Tie

Arne Slot met with the media ahead of the Reds' Premier League matchup with Wolves. The boss gave an injury update on Florian Wirtz, addressed the VAR issue, and discussed playing an improving Wolves side twice in three days.

Injury Update

Florian Wirtz’s minor back issue is now growing in severity as he will likely miss the EPL match with Wolves and maybe even the FA Cup tie.

“The game tomorrow will probably come too soon, and maybe the game at the weekend as well, Slot said. “Let’s see how that ends up. But we hope to have him back somewhere next week. Maybe earlier. Maybea bit later. But that timescale.”

Slot Seeks VAR Consistency

Slot has been a critic of VAR for a while, saying he prefers games without it. This frustration continued in the press conference when he addressed inconsistencies in the way the rules were being interpreted.  He specifically pointed to the Manchester City versus Crystal Palace game as a prime example of VAR's shortcomings in comparison to the Liverpool match vs. City.

"The only difference is Mo Salah is pulled by the shirt by Guehi, and Lacroix is a hand on the shoulder. The moment I saw it, knowing what happened with us, VAR is checking if it's a penalty or inside the box, but will never give a red card for this. Surprisingly, it was a red card. "We have to make sure we don't depend on these decisions. We have to play our game and be so good. Sometimes decisions go against you, and you have to make sure it doesn't hurt you."

Beware OF The Wolves

Even though the Wolves are last in the Premier League with just 13 points, they have garnered a result in three of their last five matches. Slot says that this recent run of strong play makes them dangerous. He also discussed the unique challenges of playing the same team twice in three days.

"Wolves are doing much better than their results show. The whole season, they've hardly been beaten by a big goal difference. Recently, they've been getting points and a win against Villa. It'll be a difficult game tomorrow,” he said. “We focus on our next game, on ourselves. We know every game has been difficult throughout the whole season, and that's what we expect now. It brings a challenge for the second game a little bit more because you know better what to expect. I don't see that much of a difference in playing each other twice in a few days than having a bigger gap.”

LFC Globe Verdict

I do not like the fact that Slot spent so much time talking about VAR and its role in the loss to Manchester City. That result has already taken place, and no amount of commentary from the boss can change it. 

However, when the focus shifted to the game versus Wolves, he got back on track and made insightful comments about the upcoming matches and the effect or like thereof, of having to play the same team twice in one week. 

Have Your Say

What are your thoughts? Should the boss stop complaining about VAR, or do you think his comments will lead to rule changes down the line? Sound off below.

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