Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces a significant defensive selection headache ahead of his side's Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest, with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley ruled out for the immediate future.
Frimpong's Frustrating Start and Road to Recovery
Jeremie Frimpong is intensifying his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that has plagued his early career at Anfield. The £29.5 million summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen has been restricted to just nine appearances this season, with only a single Premier League start.
There is renewed optimism, however, as the 24-year-old full-back was pictured back on the training pitch. An Instagram update from the club confirmed he is stepping up his recovery programme, targeting a return to first-team action within the coming weeks.
Slot's Defensive Conundrum Deepens
The positive news on Frimpong is tempered by another setback. Conor Bradley has suffered a muscle problem while on international duty and is expected to miss the upcoming crucial period.
Slot confirmed the extent of the issue during his pre-match press conference, stating: "I don't expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days. Maybe in the end, but not in the 22 days unless something like a miracle happens, which I don't expect."
The manager also delivered a timeline for Frimpong, adding: "Jeremie is out just as long. He's not probably going to be available in the upcoming two or three weeks as well."
Potential Solutions for the Right-Back Role
This double absence forces Slot to consider alternative options for the right-back position. The main candidates are:
- Dominik Szoboszlai: The midfielder offers creativity and passing range from defence, though his performances in midfield have provided important balance.
- Joe Gomez: Provides defensive solidity for a backline that has struggled to keep clean sheets, though his own fitness is a concern after limited game time in 2025.
Slot acknowledged the challenge, noting: "It's challenging but the good thing is we have still enough good players available and maybe one of them or two of them have to play in positions they usually don't do. That's what we have to accept."
While this presents an immediate headache for Liverpool as they resume their campaign after the international break, the anticipated returns of both Frimpong and Bradley in the coming weeks should leave the Reds better equipped to handle the demanding Christmas fixture schedule.
