Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis deepened after Jeremie Frimpong limped off just four minutes into their Champions League clash with Qarabag.
The Reds were already stretched at the back, with Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez unavailable. Arne Slot started midfielder Ryan Gravenberch at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk, but was forced to make another change when Frimpong suffered a hamstring problem early on.
Frimpong was replaced by Wataru Endo, who slotted in at right-back. The Dutchman had already missed 18 games this season due to injury, most recently returning from a two-month layoff in mid-December.
Liverpool’s options in the position remain limited, as Conor Bradley is sidelined for the season with a long-term knee injury sustained during the goalless draw at Arsenal earlier this month.
Mohamed Salah ended his goal drought as Liverpool thrashed Qarabag to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Salah scored Liverpool’s third in a dominant display that offered respite from their Premier League struggles.
Liverpool took control early, with Alexis Mac Allister heading in from a corner after 15 minutes, before Florian Wirtz doubled the lead with a low finish six minutes later.
Salah then struck shortly after the break, curling a free-kick into the top corner to spark celebrations at Anfield. Hugo Ekitike added a fourth after racing clear, Mac Allister grabbed his second from close range, and substitute Federico Chiesa completed the rout late on from Virgil van Dijk’s pass.
Providing an update on Frimpong’s injury, Arne Slot told TNT Sports: “It is obvious if a player goes out like that you do not expect him to play against Newcastle. Jeremie is out, let’s see what the future brings.”
“Let’s see how Jeremie is. Maybe he is not able to play on Saturday, but maybe he is able to play one or two days later. But we now go into a schedule with one game per week. That would usually mean less injuries, but you’re never sure.”
The Dutchman added: “Today has shown again that sometimes things are maybe a bit more complicated than people think, so Jeremy is a great example of that. I think I got a question from one of you sitting over there, ‘Could you understand that fans were a bit annoyed that you took Jeremie Frimpong off at that moment?’
“Maybe these same fans should have a different opinion, because even with resting him, he got injured, and I think he was sitting here the day before the game telling you all how big of a difference the Bundesliga is to the Premier League.
“So these are the things I have to take into account, and apparently, I’ve played him too much recently for this to happen again. That’s really sad for him, but definitely also for us, because our full-back is out for the whole season.
“But we will find a way again. As you saw today, the way is usually as attacking as possible, that’s what we did today with players in positions you don’t expect them.”
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