Jeremie Frimpong has broken his silence after being left out of the Netherlands squad for this summer's World Cup
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong has sent a message after being left out of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
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Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has broken his silence with a candid message on social media after his surprise ommission from the Netherlands' World Cup squad. The Reds defender was a shock omission from Ronald Koeman's 26-man squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
In an Instagram story post, Frimpong shared an image of him playing for his country, along with the caption: "It wasn't meant to be this time, but I'll be supporting the boys every step of the way this summer."
The 25-year-old has struggled through a challenging season since his £29million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, hindered by three separate injury problems and a failure to nail down a regular spot.
He made just 35 appearances in all competitions and Koeman explained: "I didn't take Frimpong because of what I saw in the season. Several physical problems.
"Let's remember the match against Ecuador [friendly in March], when he came on at half-time and soon left, injured. I had to choose, and I opted for another on the right flank."
While Frimpong has been left out, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo have all made Koeman's squad.
The Netherlands are in Group F, meaning they will face Wataru Endo's Japan on June 14, Alexander Isak's Sweden six days afterwards, and will wrap up their group stage fixtures against Tunisia on June 26.
Jeremie Frimpong sends a message on social media that reads 'It wasn't meant to be this time, but I'll be supporting the boys every step of the way this summer'
Jeremie Frimpong has sent a message on social media after his was left out of the Netherlands' squad for the World Cup(Image: Jeremie Frimpong Instagram screengrab)
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Speaking in March, Arne Slot acknowledged that Frimpong's restricted number of appearances was a significant setback for the Reds.
"Jeremie has shown every time he comes in that when you face low blocks, how important pace is," he said. "I can tell you, the moment you don't face low blocks and the moment you face teams who (line up) further away from goal, then pace becomes probably even more important.
"Pace in modern football, apart from being really strong at set-pieces, is crucial. Not that I needed it because I knew it, but Paris Saint-Germain were a great example (last season) of pace when it comes to the forwards - to win the Champions League from open play and be creative.
"We thought, I thought, that was something we could add to this team and what we've tried to do. But unfortunately we've only been able to use one player (we signed) who has a lot of pace in our front three and that is Hugo (Ekitike)."
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong has struggled with injury this season(Image: (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
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Frimpong was asked about his injury struggles this season and told the Daily Telegraph: “It’s never happened in my career. I’ve had three injuries and, on top of that, the team is not doing so well, like we should do.
“There have been a lot of challenges. If we could have won one of the FA Cup or the Champions League, it wouldn’t have been as bad.
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“How have I dealt with it? I’ve got my family; my girlfriend. You have to understand we are human. We’ve got feelings as well.
“When bad things happen, we think about it. The moment you go home, you think: ‘Oh’ – you have got to do something to stay away from going into your own mind.
“So you need your family, your loved ones and that is what has got me through the difficult times this season. I’m not going to lie, it’s been hard.
“But when I was down, I had people with me who made me be with them. They distract me, so I’m not just there sitting around looking at nothing.”
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