Frimpong’s Injury Challenges Liverpool’s Defensive Depth

omidbasir- Frimpong’s inaugural season at Liverpool has been marred by persistent muscle injuries. Although it seemed that the 25-year-old was experiencing discomfort in his groin during the Champions League match against Qarabag, it is his hamstring injury that has caused him to miss 18 games for both club and country in the 2025-26 season. Notably, he was sidelined for 12 consecutive matches during a two-month period at the end of last year.

These ongoing health issues have hindered the right-back’s ability to establish himself since transferring to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £29.5 million ($37.5 million).

Frimpong’s injury further complicates Slot’s defensive strategy, as the Premier League-winning manager is already facing a shortage at right-back. Bradley has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury sustained during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal earlier this month. Gomez has historically served as a backup in that position for both Slot and Jurgen Klopp, but he is currently dealing with a hip injury incurred in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend. Additionally, Konate has been absent for the past week to mourn the loss of his father.

This shortage has compelled Slot to rearrange his lineup. Ryan Gravenberch filled a central defensive role in Wednesday night’s match, while Endo’s inclusion likely means Dominik Szoboszlai will revert to the right side of defense, a position he previously covered effectively earlier this season.

In a pre-match press conference earlier this week, Slot addressed the ongoing injury crisis. He stated, “Even if you reconsider and arrive at a different decision, the question remains whether we can change it. Are we able to expand this squad with the available funds and feasible options? We might be one or two players short compared to last season in terms of numbers, and when you factor in three long-term injuries, it becomes quite significant.

“This may not be a popular opinion, but perhaps our success in winning the league last season was partly due to facing Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, allowing us a week to prepare for every subsequent match after they eliminated us.

“Every manager understands that a larger squad equips you better for a demanding schedule. However, I also recognize that I had to disappoint one or two players today who would prefer to play. If you have 10 or 15 players desiring that, it complicates matters. Striking the right balance is challenging, and the current imbalance is evident due to the three long-term injuries.”

Liverpool is on track to secure a victory against Qarabag, with a win ensuring their progression to the last 16 of the Champions League without the need for playoff rounds. This would alleviate fixture congestion, a welcome relief for Slot’s stretched squad.

The Reds are also facing a challenging run in the Premier League, with matches against Newcastle and Manchester City scheduled over the next two weekends. Frimpong’s absence poses a significant challenge for Slot during this critical phase of the season.