Jeremie Frimpong’s absence has been felt in the Liverpool team after going down with injury towards the end of October.
The Netherlands international has had a stop-start beginning to life with the Reds, and his unavailability has contributed towards some makeshift options being thrown in at right-back.
With Conor Bradley also injured, Arne Slot has had to fit some square pegs into round holes far more often than he’d have liked.
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium
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Although Joe Gomez looked excellent at right-back during Sunday’s win over West Ham, Slot would no doubt love to have both Frimpong and Bradley back fit as soon as possible.
As questions remain over whether Gomez can play two, let alone three matches per week, an update has been offered on when Liverpool fans can expect to see their more natural right-backs return.
Jeremie Frimpong expected back in two weeks
When Frimpong and Bradley are both fit, it will be fascinating to see who Slot decides is his first choice this season.
So far, neither has staked a particularly impressive claim, with the spot very much still there for the taking upon their comeback.
Jeremie Frimpong sits injured on the turf during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park.
Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images
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According to The Daily Mail, that return is likely to come in around two weeks’ time.
They claim that Frimpong has taken a step forwards in his recovery by getting ‘back on the grass’ recently.
The 24-year-old is reportedly hoping to be back available in a fortnight, with Bradley also said to be aiming for a similar date.
As for Gomez, it remains to be seen whether Slot trusts his No. 2 to do a job against Sunderland on Wednesday evening.
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Who will be first choice right-back?
Although injuries have forced his hand far too often during the early months of the season, when both Frimpong and Bradley have been fit Slot has tended to favour the Northern Irishman.
That could simply have been a case of protecting Frimpong as he adjusts to a new club, or it could be indicative of the Liverpool head coach‘s long-term plan.
The answer to that conundrum will become much more clear once both players are ready to be considered later this month.
With so many games to play, it is likely that the role will be split between Frimpong and Bradley.
Who will come out on top from there will very much depend on performances. Both will start again from zero, and both will have to convince a Liverpool fanbase yet to be fully won over by either.
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