FLORIAN WIRTZ GIVES ANKLE UPDATE AFTER LIVERPOOL WIN

Florian Wirtz said his ankle problem appeared minor after Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0. Wirtz left the pitch in the 65th minute after he appeared to hurt his ankle while making a challenge. “I think it should be alright,” he said after the match. “It’s not too bad. I don’t know much yet, we have to check it, but it won’t be long.” The fixture’s reported date differs between Saturday and Sunday.

A Pascal Gross own goal gave Liverpool the lead after Wirtz’s shot deflected off the Brighton player. Alexander Isak scored Liverpool’s second goal. The victory gave Andoni Iraola his first home Premier League win in charge of Liverpool and moved the club to fourth in the table. It also marked Liverpool’s fourth consecutive win following a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City earlier in October. Brighton entered the match after four consecutive wins and five consecutive clean sheets.

Wirtz has contributed a goal and two assists in his last four games. Jamie Carragher criticised him earlier in the season and said Liverpool’s transfer window could rank among the worst of all time. Liverpool next face Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, when Wirtz’s availability will depend on checks of his ankle. Liverpool then play Arsenal in the Premier League next weekend.