Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow as star right-back Jeremy Frimpong was sent off after just 12 minutes for the Netherlands against Ecuador on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, was introduced at half-time as a substitute for Cody Gakpo, but played less than 15 minutes before limping straight down the tunnel.
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Manager Ronald Koeman confirms Jeremy Frimpong’s injury
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman admitted in the post-match press conference after the team’s 1-1 draw with Eindhoven that the substitution had been forced.
The exact nature of the injury is still being assessed by the Dutch medical team, but early reports suggest it may be a recurrence of the muscle problem that plagued Frimpong during his first season on Merseyside.
“It’s a muscle issue. Jeremy felt something sharp and we couldn’t take the risk. It’s a shame for him and for the club, especially so soon after joining.”
Frimpong’s disappointing debut season at Liverpool
The injury marks the latest chapter in a stop-start debut bid to seal a £29.5m contract.
Despite a strong start, scoring on his debut in the Community Shield, Frimpong has already endured two significant layoffs this season.
He missed the opening month of the Premier League with a hamstring strain and was sidelined again for nearly eight weeks between December and February.
This latest setback comes just as he has regained his starting place under manager Arne Slott, playing 60 minutes in each of Liverpool’s last three games before the international break.
Liverpool’s right-back woes continue
With Saturday’s crucial FA Cup game against Manchester City looming, Liverpool’s defensive options are stretched to the limit.
Reserve right-back Conor Bradley is already out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Slott has previously been forced to bring in Dominik Szoboszlai as an emergency right-back, and he may need to reprise this role with a hole left in midfield.
This latest injury raises big questions about the depth of Liverpool’s squad as they fight on multiple fronts for Premier League title and cup glory.
