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Alisson Becker set for return as Florian Wirtz also expected back for West Ham clash

Florian Writz

A muscle complaint meant Florian Writz was also absent for that game after being sidelined for the preceding loss against Nottingham Forest / Liverpool FC

Alisson Becker is set to return for Liverpool this weekend, while Florian Wirtz could also be back in training ahead of the clash with West Ham United.

Alisson missed Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven due to illness.

Wirtz was also unavailable after a muscle complaint ruled him out of that game, having already missed the loss to Nottingham Forest.

Speaking at his pre-West Ham press conference on Thursday, head coach Arne Slot said: “Ali trained again with the team today, so we hope and expect him to be available at the weekend.

“Florian will have his final day of rehab tomorrow. So, if that all goes well, he could train with the team on Saturday.”

Hugo Ekitike, who replaced Alexander Isak in the starting lineup, was forced off early in the second half against PSV with a back issue.

Slot said of the France international: “They don’t expect that it has to be a big issue, but the games come fast so let’s see for the weekend.

“But it shouldn’t have to be a big issue.”

Slot was also asked for an update on Joe Gomez, specifically how close the defender is to being able to play “meaningful minutes” after recent limited involvement.

“He’s close,” said Slot. “He could have been involved yesterday as well in terms of minutes. But when we are 2-1 or 3-1 down, I tend to make offensive substitutions.

“And for him to start a game is also definitely a possibility. But [Ibrahima] Konate didn’t train two days before the game, he was a bit of a [risk] two days before. Then if you don’t have that many defenders to start with, two players that might not be able to play the whole 90, that’s kind of a risk as well.

“I decided to keep him there for if Ibou was injured and not to have to make two substitutions, because then we probably would have ended up with one or two defenders.”

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