Jeremie Frimpong is set to make his comeback from a lengthy hamstring injury, and the Liverpool right-back’s return to availability could be perfectly timed.
Frimpong has been absent since suffering his second hamstring injury of the season in the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22.
The Netherlands international has therefore missed almost two months of action, with Saturday’s 2-0 victory at home to Brighton the 12th game he had sat out.
But speaking after that win at Anfield, Arne Slot revealed his No. 30 would be back in training in the buildup to Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham.
That could set Frimpong up for a key role heading into 2026 as Slot experiments with his system – and particularly with Mohamed Salah now departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool’s new 4-4-2: Frimpong as bombing right-back
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 14, 2025: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Salah’s time away with Egypt will see him miss at least three games for Liverpool and as many as eight, while there remain doubts whether the No. 11 will even return amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
With the 33-year-old already having been left out of the starting lineup for the last five games – including a brief exile for his public criticism of Slot – there have been signs of the head coach’s plans without him.
Most notably that has come with a shift to a 4-4-2 setup, including a diamond midfield and, for only the second time against Inter Milan, both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak up front.
It is a fluid system, not least among the four midfielders who can interchange duties throughout, but it is also naturally a narrow setup.
That puts a heavy emphasis on the full-backs to provide width – which could be where Frimpong comes in upon his return.
The only other time Slot trialled Ekitike and Isak as a strike partnership was that thrashing of Frankfurt in the Champions League, and his comments before kickoff highlighted his expectations around Frimpong’s role.
“We are hoping and expecting Jeremie Frimpong to create something for these two from the right side and Cody Gakpo trying to do the same off the left,” he told TNT Sports, “with Florian Wirtz‘s creativity in and around our two No. 9s.”
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's team back row left to right: goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konaté, captain Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and front row left to right: Jeremie Frimpong, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak before the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Waldstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That idea was quickly aborted with Frimpong forced off early on and Isak also making way at half-time, but the Dutch wing-back was set to be given the freedom of the right flank – five of his six touches were in the final third.
Slot clearly has considerable faith in his ability to cover the length of the pitch while contributing both in defence and, most tellingly, attack.
And with Conor Bradley also able to operate in a similar setup, having both him and Frimpong available – and both Salah and the injured Gakpo out – it would be no surprise if this system prevails with a rotation of right-backs.
4-2-3-1: A direct replacement for Salah – and Szoboszlai
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, September 29, 2025: Liverpool team-mates Jeremie Frimpong (L) and Mohamed Salah during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Propaganda)
When Liverpool opted to trigger the £29.5 million release clause in Frimpong’s contract at Bayer Leverkusen, there was a clear appreciation of his versatility.
Though concerns over his defensive output were quickly downplayed, it is evident that his role at Leverkusen – particularly for Xabi Alonso – was predominantly as an attacker.
Liverpool knew heading into this season that they would lose Salah to AFCON for a crucial period and there was no established backup given Slot prefers Federico Chiesa as a striker.
The plan was, therefore, to trial Frimpong as a replacement for Salah on the right wing – and no doubt this would have happened during the Egyptian’s recent stint out of the side had he been available.
Slot has, of course, already started his countryman on the right of his attack on one occasion this season: in the clash with Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Unfortunately it ended in a 1-0 defeat, but though not wholly convincing there were signs Liverpool could benefit from Frimpong’s pace in behind in that role, which was also the case in a cameo on the wing against Burnley that saw him the decisive penalty.
“Jeremie played a lot of times as a wing-back, right winger, at Leverkusen. He played there in pre-season for us,” Slot told reporters after the loss to Galatasaray.
“He’s one of the players who can replace Mo in that position. I don’t see many others that can play in that position as their favourite.
“I think Jeremie, it’s one of his favourite positions to play. He plays there for the national team always. So he’s a player that can play there.”
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong looks on as Galatasaray's goalkeeper U?urcan Çak?r makes a save during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Galatasaray won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The notion that right wing is one of Frimpong’s favourite positions is crucial as, in Salah’s absence, Slot has often turned to Dominik Szoboszlai out wide.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s most valuable player this season, not only in his level of performance or his availability, but in that he has been able to maintain his form while playing in a variety of positions.
But it is obvious that the Hungary captain is most comfortable in midfield; and in any of Slot’s 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formations, that is where he is most effective.
Why Frimpong should not be underrated
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Given there are doubts over Szoboszlai’s fitness ahead of the trip to Tottenham due to an ankle issue, it could make Frimpong’s impending return all the more important.
Clearly, it would be wrong to pin all hopes on a player who should be eased back in after a long spell on the sidelines – particularly after a recurring injury – but Liverpool cannot ignore how big an asset he can be.
In many ways, the circumstances around Frimpong’s first half-season at Anfield have undervalued exactly how much he can offer.
Despite a rough start – with only nine appearances, 403 minutes on the pitch and a fortunate debut goal in the Community Shield – there is too much evidence to show that he can be an elite-level option on the right flank for Liverpool.
That his comeback is timed with Salah’s AFCON duty, Gakpo’s injury, worries over Szoboszlai, Wirtz’s growing influence and Slot’s tactical experiments could make him very useful in the weeks to come.