Liverpool are set to face another injury problem as Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman deliveres an update on the fitness of defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong was a substitute in his nation’s friendly against Ecuador on Tuesday evening, replacing Liverpool team-mate Cody Gakpo at the start of the second half.
However, the Dutchman lasted less than 15 minutes before having to be replaced by Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke and then headed straight down the tunnel.
Speaking after the game, which ended in 1-1 draw, Koeman confirmed Frimpong’s substitution was injury related, thus dealing Liverpool a new blow ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final showdown against Manchester City.
“That was a blow, we had to substitute him,” Koeman explained to reporters.
Jeremie Frimpong leaves the field injured during the friendly international match between the Netherlands and Ecuador. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Frimpong has already had three spells on the sidelines through injury which has disrupted his debut season at Liverpool. The most recent was sustained in the 6-0 win over Qarabag in the Champions League which kept him out of action for five games in all competitions.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will now be hoping Frimpong’s latest setback is not too serious with a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain to follow Saturday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds have suffered various injury concerns in the right-back position this season, with Conor Bradley out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, leaving Joe Gomez as the only other natural defensive option.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have been asked to fill in at right-back over the course of the campaign and Arne Slot could turn to one of his midfield duo in the coming weeks.
