Jeremie Frimpong faces being sidelined until December after picking up a hamstring problem during Liverpool’s win against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Netherlands international lasted just 19 minutes against the German side before being substituted, and has subsequently missed the Reds’ defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot confirmed in Germany that he expected to be without the right-back for a few weeks, before later conceding his compatriot was set for a prolonged stint on the sidelines. “Jeremie’s not in a good place,” Slot said before the Brentford clash.
“What I mean by that he is definitely not going to play today, tomorrow or next week. Hamstring injury so that’s going to take a while.”
According to the Daily Mail, Frimpong is now facing a six-week lay-off, with his latest issue the second occasion this season he has sustained a hamstring injury.
The full-back was withdrawn through injury during his Premier League bow against AFC Bournemouth, though he sat out just two fixtures before returning after the September international break.
However, having already missed two matches since his latest setback, Frimpong could potentially be unavailable for a further seven fixtures if the reported six-week absence proves accurate.
Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday evening (November 1), before welcoming Real Madrid on Tuesday 4 November and making the trip to Man City on Sunday 9 November. The Reds will then welcome Nottingham Forest (Saturday 22 November) and PSV Eindhoven (Wednesday 26 November) to Anfield after the international break, before making the trip to West Ham United on Sunday 30 November.
Liverpool are then due to kick off December with a home clash against Sunderland on Wednesday 3 December – a fixture scheduled six weeks after their European trip to Frankfurt.
By then, Frimpong is expected to be nearing a comeback, with Slot’s side then facing away trips to Leeds United on Saturday 6 December and Inter Milan on Tuesday 9 December.
The expected duration of Frimpong’s absence provides fresh context for Slot’s controversial team selection in Liverpool’s League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Dutch manager made 10 alterations to his starting XI for the Eagles clash, which ended in a 3-0 loss, and named an entirely academy-based substitutes’ bench whilst giving most of his senior squad the evening off.