The Liverpool head coach has a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle
Jeremie Frimpong will be sidelined for several weeks due to a groin injury, Liverpool coach Arne Slot confirmed on Friday. The 25-year-old right-back, who will miss the upcoming game against Newcastle, picked up the injury during the Reds’ Champions League win over Qarabag on Wednesday and was substituted as a precaution.
Initial concern suggested a potentially lengthy absence, but Slot revealed the prognosis has since improved, even if the Dutch defender is still facing time on the sidelines.
“He will definitely not be in the squad for tomorrow,” Slot told reporters during his pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre on Friday.
“He’s out for a few weeks, but not as bad as we thought he would be out. So something positive from something not so positive.”
Liverpool will host Newcastle on Saturday before facing a difficult run that includes a league clash with Manchester City and ties against Sunderland and Brighton. Frimpong is expected to miss all of those fixtures as his recovery continues.
Arne Slot has further risked irritating Liverpool fans with his comments after the 6-0 win over Qarabag.
Slot brought up a Jurgen Klopp-era European failure to highlight this year’s top-eight finish. https://t.co/IoYpV94vb5 #LFC #UCL
— BBSportNews (@thebbsportnews) January 29, 2026
Liverpool juggle options as defenders return and others remain out
The situation at right-back is particularly delicate given that Conor Bradley has already been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
Slot is now left weighing several makeshift solutions, including players operating outside their natural positions.
Curtis Jones and natural right-back Calvin Ramsay are among the options available. Wataru Endo deputised at right-back during the 6-0 win over Qarabag, with Dominik Szoboszlai also performing the role earlier in the campaign.
Ibrahima Konate returns
Meanwhile, there was more positive news elsewhere in the squad, with Slot confirming the return of Ibrahima Konate, who is back after compassionate leave.
“Ibou trained with us yesterday, trains with us today and will be in the squad tomorrow,” Slot explained.
One defender who will not be involved is Joe Gomez. The versatile Liverpool defender suffered a hip injury in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth and remains sidelined, though Slot indicated his return is not far away.
“Joe will not be available, but that doesn’t have to take much longer anymore. But he will not be available for the weekend,” he said.
Konate’s return is expected to have a knock-on effect across the team. He is likely to slot straight back into central defence, allowing Ryan Gravenberch to move out of the back line and return to his preferred midfield role, restoring balance to Liverpool’s shape.