Arne Slot may face a significant selection headache ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle on Monday night.
The Dutch coach will remember how his side conceded three goals during their last visit to St James’ Park in December, as well as two more in this year’s Carabao Cup final defeat.
Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak, who scored in both games, is unlikely to feature this time due to an ongoing dispute with his current club. However, his absence may do little to ease concerns over Liverpool’s defensive setup for the upcoming match.
Conor Bradley’s call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for September suggests he’s nearing a return, but Slot delivered worrying news for Liverpool fans at his pre-match press conference today.
Slot confirms Frimpong injury setback for Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong was taken off an hour into last week’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth. It has since emerged that the substitution was a precautionary measure, but unfortunately, it came too late to prevent an injury ruling him out of the upcoming fixtures against Newcastle and Arsenal.
Slot told reporters (via Liverpool Echo): “The medical team was absolutely right to take Jeremie off because he will be out until the end of the international break. We felt he had a hamstring issue – the medical team did, and they were right. It was a good decision because otherwise, he could have been sidelined for even longer.
“Jeremie has a very positive injury record. Conor was out a couple of times last season. These things happen. We only have two injuries at the moment but they’re in the same position.
“Joe Gomez hasn’t suffered a setback but he hasn’t been able to train for three days in a row. We’ll see where he’s at on Monday and if he’s fit to start.”
Slot may need to find an emergency right-back solution
With Frimpong out, Bradley just returning to light training, and Gomez’s fitness uncertain, Slot could be forced into an emergency right-back option against a Newcastle side competing in this season’s Champions League.
Wataru Endo filled in at right-back against Bournemouth but was quickly exposed, with David Brooks exploiting the Japanese midfielder and setting up one of Antoine Semenyo’s two goals during that period.
It’s unlikely Endo will be used in that role again against Harvey Barnes on Monday. If Gomez isn’t ready to start, Slot might turn to Dominik Szoboszlai to fill the position.
Slot did deploy the Hungarian at right-back during a pre-season victory over Stoke last month, where he performed well. However, replicating that against Newcastle’s attacking threat would be a much tougher challenge.
Hopefully, Joe Gomez will be cleared to start on Monday, and Frimpong will be back in action when Liverpool face Burnley after the September international break.
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