Florian Wirtz missed Liverpool’s Premier League game against Chelsea due to illness.

The German was something of a shock absence from the starting line-up, less than 24 hours after Arne Slot had said he expected the German to be involved at Anfield.

However, Wirtz dropped out in place of Rio Ngumoha, one of three changes for the Chelsea encounter.

Wirtz missed training on Wednesday, but asked about the former Bayer Leverkusen man on Friday, Slot replied: “Florian was a bit unwell but trained yesterday as well.”

The 23-year-old has started the last six Premier League games, and every game since recovering from a back injury.

Wirtz scored on Liverpool’s last Anfield outing, in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, but faced criticism following his contribution at Old Trafford last week.

“The one player I think has had a very easy ride is Florian Wirtz,” claimed Jamie Carragher following Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat against Manchester United.

“I’ve never moved clubs, let alone moved to a different country, but I think we’ve given him time.

“We’ve been very, very kind. I commentated on Liverpool away at Burnley earlier in the season, and I described Wirtz as being neat and tidy.

“I was being kind then. I wouldn’t describe him as anything different right now. He’s a year into his Liverpool career.”