LIVERPOOL – Despite a dominant 6-0 victory over Qarabag to seal their place in the Champions League Round of 16, Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of Jeremie Frimpong. The dynamic full-back was forced off in the opening minutes of Wednesday’s clash, replaced by Wataru Endo after suffering a muscle injury.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed the setback in his post-match press conference, admitting that the recovery timeline for the Dutch international remains uncertain.
A Critical Timing for the Reds
The timing of the injury could not be worse for Liverpool. The club is entering a decisive stretch of the season with two high-stakes Premier League fixtures on the horizon:
- January 31: Newcastle United (Home)
- February 8: Manchester City (Away)
“It’s a muscle injury. I don’t know how long he will be out,” Slot stated. “It’s not a knee issue, but muscle injuries are often related to overuse. He stretched at that moment, and that’s the risk we face with such a high-intensity schedule.”
Managing the Load: Ekitiké and Wirtz
Slot also revealed that his other substitutions, including Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz, were precautionary measures. “These are players still adapting to the relentless pace of English football. I took them off to avoid further risks,” the manager explained, highlighting his cautious approach to squad depth.
Transfer Market Moves?
When asked if Frimpong’s injury would force Liverpool into the transfer market before the window closes, Slot remained composed.
“We always aim to make intelligent decisions for both the short and long term,” Slot said. “We don’t want an inflated squad. We will see how Jeremie recovers first. He might miss Saturday against Newcastle, but we hope he can return shortly after. We have a one-game-a-week schedule now, which should help reduce injuries, but you can never be 100% sure.”
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
