Liverpool face a defensive crisis ahead of their crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City this Sunday, with star right-back Jeremie Frimpong officially ruled out.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Dutchman has not recovered from the injury sustained against Qarabag. While Frimpong is sidelined, there is a “small hope” that Joe Gomez could return to the squad, though he is unlikely to be fit enough to start.
“Frimpong definitely won’t be practicing this week,” Slot stated. “With Gomez, we hope he can join us on Saturday. He won’t start, but he might be able to help from the bench.”
The Szoboszlai Experiment
With limited options at right-back, Slot is expected to turn to Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder has already filled in as an inverted full-back this season, showcasing the tactical versatility that has become a hallmark of Slot’s tenure at Anfield.
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but remained optimistic: “We have a lot of injuries, but we are on the right track. We are in a much better moment now than at the start of the season.”
Predicted Lineups: A Galaxy of Stars
The match will feature some of the world’s most expensive talent, including City’s new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Liverpool’s creative engine Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3):
- GK: Alisson
- Defenders: Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez
- Midfield: Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gravenberch
- Attack: Salah, Gakpo, Ekitiké
Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Donnarumma
- Defenders: Matheus Nunes, Guéhi, Rúben Dias, Aït-Nouri
- Midfield: Rodri, Reijnders
- Attack: Cherki, Semenyo, Marmoush; Haaland
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Kick-off: 16:30 GMT / 13:30 BRT
- Competition: Premier League – Round 25
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.
