Liverpool travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United this evening
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Liverpool have something of a dilemma for tonight's trip to Newcastle United after seeing their new star right-back sidelined. Jeremie Frimpong is set to miss the next few weeks after picking up an injury in the Reds' opening game of the season.
The issue for the Premier League champions is obvious replacement Conor Bradley is still on the comeback trail himself having only returned to training this week.
Liverpool have options, but Joe Gomez has only made one Premier League appearance in the entire calendar year and that came as a substitute last week against Bournemouth, while another option in Wataru Endo would see Arne Slot playing someone totally out of position.
Liverpool Echo reporter Paul Gorst explains the situation the club find themselves in and who he would pick to play in what has become a problem area for the champions in the early weeks of the season.
Gorst says; "How loudly the alarm bells are ringing after speed merchant Jeremie Frimpong suffered a hamstring injury so early into his Premier League debut depends on your general outlook, one supposes.
"But after seeing the Netherlands player withdrawn on Friday against Bournemouth on the advice of the club's medical staff, it must be slightly concerning for Arne Slot as he gets set for a spell on the sidelines now.
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"Who plays in his absence then? Well Conor Bradley is at least back training and has been called into the Northern Ireland squad as a result.
"I'm not so sure I'd risk him for this one on Monday though. It's going to be intense and lively at St James' Park and with the likes of Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon running at the Reds' defence, everyone needs to be 100% to withstand the Magpies on the night.
"In somewhat of a left-field experiment, I am going to plump for Dominik Szoboszlai there. Liverpool will need to keep the ball and quieten the crowd on Tyneside and the Hungary captain, while not a natural full-back by any stretch, has operated there at times during pre-season.
"His quality in possession also gives Liverpool an additional attacking weapon from deep that Frimpong may not necessarily provide had he been fit. With Newcastle's midfield a particularly combative one, Liverpool need all the power they can muster and Szoboszlai's tireless running and energy could be useful on Monday night. Bradley can wait in the wings for half an hour or so."