Jeremie Frimpong was forced off in Liverpool’s victory over Qarabag in the Champions League.
The Reds have a defensive crisis, with Jeremie Frimpong being forced off in the 6-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag. Frimpong, who has had two hamstring issues this season, pulled up within two minutes against the Azerbaijani visitors and could not continue.
Frimpong’s setback left Liverpool will just three defenders. Wataru Endo had to come off the bench to deputise at right-back, with Conor Bradley missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch was deployed as a makeshift centre-half, with Joe Gomez missing with a hip injury he suffered in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat by AFC Bournemouth and Konate being given compassionate leave following the passing of his father. Giovanni Leoni will not play again this term after rupturing his ACL.
Liverpool turn their attention back to the Premier League when they host top-four rivals Newcastle United at Anfield. Konate could be back, although midfielder Curtis Jones is doubtful as he missed the Qarabag game because of illness.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Slot said: “Curtis was sick so we have to wait and see how it evolves. Joe might be tight but hoping and expecting to have Ibou back. I cannot guarantee this yet but we're hoping that Ibou will be back with us and Joe will be back.
“It's a muscle injury. A muscle usually has to do with overloading a player. Not always, of course, because he stretched in the moment but it is the risk. That's why I took Hugo and Florian off tonight because those are the players that are not as much used as Macca and Dom, who have played longer at this level.
Frimpong had been taken off at Bournemouth in a bid to manage his minutes and try to avoid another injury. But the Netherlands international now looks like he will be back on the treatment table.
Slot added: “I got a question for one of you [as the pre-match press conference] could you understand that fans were a bit annoyed that you took Jeremie Frimpong off at Bournemouth? Maybe these same fans should have a different opinion with their opinion because even with resting him, he got injured. He was sitting here the day before the game telling you all how big of a difference the Bundesliga is to the Premier League.
These are things I have to take into account and apparently I played him too much recently for this to happen again and that is really sad for him and for us because our other 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 and that's what we did today with players in posiitons you don't expect them. One-and-a-half years ago, he was an attacking midfielder and now he is a right centre-back.
Continue Reading