Arne Slot conceded that Jeremie Frimpong‘s recent injury record will come into consideration during Liverpool’s run of three games in eight days.
Frimpong made his return after five games out with a groin injury over the weekend, and he was efficient off the bench, creating a goal and almost setting up another.
It is the third time he has made a comeback from an injury this season and that is not lost on Slot or the club’s medical staff, especially ahead of a run of six games in less than three weeks.
Ahead of the first of two trips to Wolves this week, Slot was asked how important Frimpong can be in the final months of the campaign, but also how he will be managed.
Slot said: “I don’t think the only position we struggled with was the right full-back position, I think there has been more positions, but right full-back is probably the one that stands out most.
“Having Jeremie back is really nice, but indeed, what you are saying does go through your mind because of the fact we play three games in seven days.
“Because if we play Galatasaray, we have the early kickoff afterwards at Brighton, 12.30, so those things you have to take into account, especially with players who come back from injuries.
“But we also know the importance of every single game, and that is a challenge our staff, the player himself, and the manager has, but I’m not the only one who has that.
“I prefer to have this problem to manage, how many minutes do I have to give him, than to see him with the medical staff doing his recovery.”
Arne Slot’s balancing act at right-back vs. Wolves
With Florian Wirtz ruled out of Tuesday’s trip to Wolves, and likely Friday’s as well, Slot was then asked if the German’s absence could see him turn to Frimpong for his chance creation skills.
“That definitely goes through my mind,” Slot replied. “But the other thing is, we spoke about Jeremie, but you can also say the same about Joe Gomez.
“He’s been out for a while, played 75 minutes for the second time. The last start he had before this weekend was against West Ham three or four months ago.
“So these are all the things that are our situation this season, and in the meantime, I think the players handle that really well.”
Gomez and Frimpong could be rotated at right-back for the games against Wolves, but Slot also has Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones should he need to use either in defence.