Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has allayed fears over a fresh injury setback for Jeremie Frimpong, and provided an update on when his World Cup stars are due to return.
Frimpong, who had to endure an injury-hit debut campaign at Liverpool last season, looked to be in some discomfort upon being substituted in the 4-2 loss to Leeds United on Sunday night.
The Dutchman started the pre-season friendly in Chicago, claiming an assist for Florian Wirtz in the first-half, but asked to be taken off with around ten minutes remaining at Soldier Field.
However, Iraola has revealed that the change was just a precaution, confirming his belief that Frimpong has not joined a injury list that already includes Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni.
Speaking after the game, Iraola said: “Jeremie [Frimpong] asked for the sub [but] I don't think it's an injury. It was just some overload and I hope he's not injured in that way.
“I don't think we've lost anyone.”
Another positive, despite the loss to Leeds, was Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch making their first appearances of the summer for Liverpool after an extended post-World Cup holiday.
“I think they did really good. They played their first 45 minutes,” Iraola added.
“Obviously Florian and Alex, because they were playing in the first half, they had an easier game or a better game. Ryan, it was costly for him.”
Liverpool are back in action on Sunday, facing Monaco at Anfield in their penultimate friendly of the summer and new signing Victor Munoz is set to be available along with Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Cody Gakpo.
Alexis Mac Allister, though, is not due back until after August 9 having represented Argentina at the World Cup final on July 19.
“Yes, he comes next week,” Iraola said of Munoz. “We spoke to him and he wanted also to come a little bit earlier than the three weeks that they have the right to have, because obviously he is coming to a new club, he will need some time to adapt, to meet his teammates.
“We will have him next week as soon as we arrive there, basically. It’s good news.
“Alisson will be there from the first day. He was arriving to AXA a little bit later than Cody [Gakpo] and Virgil [van Dijk]. But he will be [there] since the first day that we arrive and will start training there in Liverpool.
“And Alexis will have, I think, until the Monaco game. I think deserved holidays for him; long season, long World Cup, played until the final, has played a lot of minutes. I hope he comes fully recovered and he enjoys also the break that he definitely has earned.”
