Liverpool fans were left holding their breath at the City Ground on Sunday, February 22, 2026, as Florian Wirtz—the club’s dynamic German playmaker—was dramatically withdrawn from the starting lineup just moments before kickoff against Nottingham Forest. The 22-year-old, who has recently become a driving force in Liverpool’s attack, suffered what appeared to be a back injury during the warm-up, forcing a late reshuffle that would shape the rest of the afternoon’s Premier League encounter.
Wirtz, who had been enjoying his best run of form since his high-profile summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen, was set to spearhead Liverpool’s creative efforts. Instead, after being seen in deep discussion with the coaching staff and shaking his head during warm-up drills, he disappeared down the tunnel, later reappearing to watch the match from just behind the Liverpool dugout. The Reds quickly confirmed on social media: "A late change to our starting line-up, Curtis Jones replaces Florian Wirtz."
This wasn’t just any tactical tweak. Wirtz’s absence was immediately felt, not least because of his recent impact. Having initially struggled to adapt to the breakneck pace of English football, the German international had found his feet spectacularly since December 2025, notching six goals and eight assists in 35 matches for Liverpool this season. Remarkably, all seven of his Premier League goal contributions had come since the turn of the year—a testament to his growing confidence and influence in Arne Slot’s system.
"It’s a big blow," Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports after news of Wirtz’s withdrawal broke. "The last few months, he’s been the one knitting everything together. When you bring Curtis Jones in, he’s a central midfield player. [Wirtz] is a No 10 between the lines, so Liverpool are definitely going to miss a player in there." Carragher’s assessment echoed the feelings of many supporters, who have watched Wirtz transform from a cautious new signing into a central cog in Liverpool’s attacking machinery.
Manager Arne Slot, addressing the press after Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 victory, provided some insight into the situation, though details remained sparse. "We don’t think it is very serious, but he felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn’t able to be 100 percent or even close to 100 percent," Slot explained. "I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months, he now understands no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100 percent at this level. So, we decided not to play him. We hope and expect he will be able to be with us again next week, but you never know how things work out."
The timing of Wirtz’s setback couldn’t have been worse for Liverpool. The club’s fixture list is set to intensify in the coming weeks, with a Premier League clash against West Ham United looming on February 28, followed by two matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie. Slot’s pre-match headache was already exacerbated by the absence of right-back Jeremie Frimpong, forcing Dominik Szoboszlai into an unfavored defensive role. The late removal of Wirtz meant Curtis Jones—who had starred at right-back against Brighton in the FA Cup just a week earlier—was shifted back into midfield, while Szoboszlai remained in defense.
For Jones, the sudden promotion to the starting XI was a bittersweet opportunity. He had been unlucky to drop out of the team after his recent performances, and his versatility was once again called upon. Within seconds of kickoff, however, the disruption was evident as Jones lost possession after lingering on the ball—a moment that highlighted just how much Liverpool rely on Wirtz’s composure and vision in the final third.
Wirtz’s durability had been a hallmark of his young career, making over 230 senior appearances and earning 37 caps for Germany by age 22. This season, he had missed only two matches prior to Sunday—both of which ended in home defeats for Liverpool, a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The hope around Anfield will be that his latest setback is a minor one, especially given the team’s ambitions on multiple fronts.
Curtis Jones’s inclusion saw Liverpool line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation: Alisson; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo; and Hugo Ekitiké. The bench boasted options like Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, and Federico Chiesa, but the absence of Wirtz was impossible to ignore.
The match itself was a tense affair, with Liverpool grinding out a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late goal from Alexis Mac Allister. The result drew the Reds level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, keeping their title hopes alive while underscoring the squad’s resilience in the face of adversity. Yet, the focus after the final whistle remained fixed on Wirtz’s condition.
Slot, when pressed for more details, maintained a cautious optimism. "Not more than before the game," he said. "He tried in warm-up but wasn't able to play. When you're 90 minutes sitting on the bench, it's no use asking how he feels now. Luckily there's a week to go before we play again." The manager’s pragmatic approach was mirrored by the club’s decision to err on the side of caution, prioritizing Wirtz’s long-term fitness over short-term gain.
For Wirtz himself, the injury comes just as he was silencing critics and establishing himself as a key figure in Liverpool’s pursuit of silverware. After failing to score or assist in his first 15 Premier League appearances, he had contributed directly to six goals in his last 10 top-flight outings. His ability to thread passes, unlock defenses, and link play between midfield and attack had become indispensable for a Liverpool side reinventing itself under Slot.
The coming days will be crucial as Liverpool’s medical staff assess Wirtz’s recovery. While the initial prognosis appears positive, with Slot and his team hopeful of a swift return, the unpredictable nature of back injuries means nothing can be taken for granted. The club’s supporters, still basking in the glow of a crucial away win, will be anxiously awaiting further updates.
As Liverpool look ahead to a challenging run of fixtures, all eyes remain on Florian Wirtz’s fitness. His absence may have provided an unexpected test of the squad’s depth, but the hope is that the German maestro will be back orchestrating attacks from the heart of midfield sooner rather than later. For now, the Reds can take solace in three hard-earned points and the knowledge that their star playmaker’s setback appears, at least for the moment, to be a temporary one.