Arne Slot admits major Liverpool injury setback that may force significant tactical rethink for Reds manager
Arne Slot could face a major selection headache ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle on Monday night.
The Dutchman will no doubt remember how his side shipped three goals at St James’ Park last December and then conceded twice more in February’s Carabao Cup final defeat to the Magpies.
Alexander Isak – who scored in both of those games and has been linked with a move to Anfield – is unlikely to feature this time due to an ongoing dispute with his current club. Still, that offers little comfort given Liverpool’s defensive concerns going into the clash.
Conor Bradley’s call-up to Northern Ireland’s September squad hints that he’s nearing a return, but Slot had worrying news in his pre-match press conference.
Frimpong injury setback confirmed
Jeremie Frimpong was taken off an hour into last weekend’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth. While the substitution was initially described as precautionary, it has now been revealed that the full-back has suffered a hamstring problem which will keep him out until after the international break, ruling him out of meetings with both Newcastle and Arsenal.
Slot told reporters (via Liverpool Echo):
“The medical team were absolutely right to take Jeremie off, because now he’s only out until the international break – otherwise it could’ve been much longer. He has a very strong injury record. Conor has been out once or twice before, these things happen. At the moment we only have two injuries, but they’re both in the same position.
“Joe Gomez hasn’t had a setback but hasn’t managed to train three days in a row. We’ll see where he is on Monday and if he can start.”
Emergency right-back dilemma
With Frimpong unavailable, Bradley only just returning to light training, and Gomez a doubt, Slot may be forced into an improvised solution at right-back against Champions League opposition.
Wataru Endo briefly filled in after Frimpong went off against Bournemouth, but the experiment backfired almost instantly, with David Brooks exploiting him to set up two goals inside 10 minutes. Slot will surely avoid repeating that on Monday.
If Gomez doesn’t make it, Dominik Szoboszlai could be shifted into the role. The Hungarian was trialled at right-back during a pre-season win over Stoke and looked comfortable, but facing Newcastle’s attack is a far sterner test.
Liverpool fans will be hoping Gomez is fit to start at St James’ Park, and that Frimpong is back when the Reds return to action at Burnley after the international break.
