Liverpool manager Arne Slot is set for another tactical dilemma after right back Jeremie Frimpong limped out of international duty with the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Frimpong started the 1–1 draw with Ecuador on the bench and entered the game at half-time, only to be forced off just 12 minutes later.
“That was a blow, we had to substitute him,” Dutch boss Ronald Koeman admitted after the game, confirming Frimpong’s return to the touchline was due to an injury, rather than anything tactical.
No further details of Frimpong’s condition have been given and Liverpool will be awaiting a final verdict on the right back, whose debut season at Anfield has been ravaged by injuries.
As the only natural right back available to Slot before the international break, the Reds boss is once again going to have to get creative with his defense.
How Liverpool Can Replace Injured Frimpong
Losing your only fit right back is obviously an enormous blow for any team across the globe. If there is one morbid positive to take from this, however, it is that Liverpool are already very familiar with this particular dilemma.
Having only missed 11 games for club and country across his entire career before joining Liverpool, Frimpong has already been forced to sit out 25 this season alone, been struck down by three separate hamstring injuries.
As a result, Slot already has plenty of experience when it comes to replacing him, even with primary deputy Conor Bradley unavailable with a long-term injury of his own.
Slot’s preferred route has been to deploy attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai at right back this season—much to the surprise of his international manager—relying on his work rate to carry him through at the back and benefiting from his excellent passing range from deep.
Szoboszlai appears destined to take over at right back again if Frimpong needs an extended spell on the sidelines, beginning with this weekend’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Manchester City.
Interestingly, Slot does have a recognized right back in his squad. Calvin Ramsay, 22, has gone unused on the bench in every Premier League game since the middle of December. But Slot has repeatedly admitted that he does not believe Ramsay is the best option available to him. Other senior stars, even naturals in other positions on the pitch, are comfortably higher in the depth chart.
The versatile Joe Gomez may be the closest thing to a natural alternative in Slot’s mind, but physical issues could limit his involvement. The 28-year-old had a minor issue which forced him to the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, with the Reds boss admitting he was not ready for minutes. That situation may well have changed after two weeks of rest.
We have also seen Japan international Wataru Endo spend time at right back this season, although an injury right now rules him out of contention.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liverpool Rocked by Familiar Injury Blow in Problem Position.
