Frimpong’s absence is the kind of news that makes Liverpool fans spill their morning coffee. The lively right back pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 4-2 win over Bournemouth and will not be back until after the international break. That means no Frimpong against Newcastle on Monday, no Frimpong against Arsenal, and a whole lot of tactical duct tape for manager Arne Slot.
Making matters worse, Conor Bradley is out as well and Trent Alexander-Arnold is swilling sangria in Madrid. Suddenly, Liverpool A club whose history is based on a pavement upon which full-backs turn out pitiable and seemingly endless numbers of ball-blocking attacking features is looking like the kid in gym that forgot his sneakers.
Frimpong Injury Piles Pressure on Arne Slot
The timing couldn’t be worse. Newcastle is no pushover, and Arsenal, well, they’ve been waiting all summer to prove a point. Without Frimpong, Slot might be forced to shuffle the deck. Midfielders masquerading as full-backs? Center-backs moonlighting on the wing? It’s like asking your accountant to DJ at your wedding — possible, but probably not pretty.
Frimpong Injury Forces Tactical Experimentation
Slot is a manager who loves structure, but this injury might drag him into the chaos zone. Wataru Endo or Dominik Szoboszlai could be patched into right-back roles. Yes, you read that correctly: midfielders chasing wingers. It’s the soccer version of putting square pegs in round holes.
The Netherlands also lose here: their World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania will go ahead without Frimpong. That’s a blow, but let’s be real — if you can’t handle Lithuania without him, the Oranje have bigger problems.
Author’s Take: Liverpool’s Identity Test
Here’s the thing: Liverpool has been spoiled by full-backs who double as playmakers. With Frimpong out, Slot gets an early test of adaptability. It’s not a season-killer — hamstrings heal — but it’s a moment that could define how quickly this “new era” Liverpool finds its footing. Personally, I think Slot will MacGyver a solution. But if the Reds get roasted down the right flank, don’t say I didn’t warn you.