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Arne Slot has had problems throughout the season at right-back and the Liverpool has a decision to make for the trip to Wolves.
Managers love having different options, however, as seen with Liverpool this season, it can be a hindrance when injuries hit.
There is no better example than the right-back problems that Arne Slot has experienced this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold had his faults, but he rarely missed a game and the players around him – in particular Mo Salah – knew exactly what he was capable of with the ball at his feet. They also knew that he was more likely to pick out a pass, rather than take players on. Slot doesn’t know who is right-back is from week to week, never mind what they are going to do if they are picked.
Jeremie Frimpong vs Joe Gomez for Wolves trip
With Jeremie Frimpong struggling for fitness since arriving to replace Alexander-Arnold, there is a risk attached with throwing him straight back into the starting XI so quickly after returning from his latest hamstring issue, likewise for the reliable if physically unreliable Joe Gomez. According to James Pearce speaking on The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Frimpong might be used as an impact substitute once again: “So, Frimpong is an interesting one. He got discussed a fair bit in the press conference today.
“Slot admitting that he's just got to go careful with him. He said that cameo he made in the last 15, 20 minutes on Saturday reminded you of what he gives Liverpool, because how many times have we spoke this season about Liverpool lacking pace and then you look at him bursting past a man. I know obviously the fifth goal goes down as an own goal, but it was all down to Frimpong in terms of creating the opening. That's probably a dilemma for him. Is Frimpong ready to start at Molineux? What about Joe Gomez?
“Because again, we know that Gomez's quality is not in question. It's just his robustness and of course Liverpool have got three games in the space of a week. I think Gomez only completed 90 once in the Premier League this season. What did he do? 77 against West Ham on Saturday. So I think as long as Gomez has come through it okay, you'd imagine he'd stick with him at right back and use Frimpong off the bench again.”
Slot hints at Frimpong start v Wolves
Slot though, has hinted that Frimpong might be in line to return, via the club’s official website: “That definitely goes through my mind. But the other thing is, you can also say the same about Joe Gomez, who has been out for a while, played 75 minutes for the second time. The last start he had before the weekend was against West Ham three or four months ago.
“These are all the things which is our situation this season, and in the meantime I think the players handled that really well.” Gomez helps to secure up the defence and is an aerial presence in both boxes, Frimpong, when a game becomes more open, is a different type of threat, with the ball at his feet. With the games coming thick and fast, the smart money is on Slot rotating the two players over the next three games that could help to shape the season.
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