Liverpool rocked as Jeremie Frimpong suffers fresh injury ahead of City clash

Liverpool’s defensive concerns have deepened after Jeremie Frimpong suffered another injury setback, casting doubt over his availability for the club’s crucial FA Cup clash against Manchester City.

The 25-year-old right-back lasted just 13 minutes during the Netherlands’ 1-1 international friendly draw with Ecuador on Tuesday before being forced off, raising fresh concerns at Anfield.

The incident comes at a particularly delicate stage of the season, with Liverpool already grappling with limited options in defence.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman confirmed after the match that Frimpong’s withdrawal was injury-related, describing the situation as a setback for his side. “That was a blow, we had to substitute him,” Koeman said, underlining the abrupt nature of the change.

Frimpong’s visible frustration as he left the pitch reflected the broader concern surrounding his fitness. Since arriving at Liverpool last summer, the Dutch international has endured a disrupted campaign, with this latest issue marking his third spell on the sidelines.

Earlier in the season, he sustained an injury during a UEFA Champions League encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, before another muscle problem surfaced in January against Qarabağ FK.

Initial indications suggest Frimpong could be sidelined for several weeks, potentially ruling him out of a demanding run of fixtures. In addition to the looming tie against Manchester City, Liverpool face key matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham, games that could shape their season across multiple competitions.

The timing of the injury compounds an already difficult situation for Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The club is still without Conor Bradley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign following knee surgery after sustaining a serious injury against Arsenal earlier this year.

With options limited, Slot may be forced to reshuffle his squad. Experienced defender Joe Gomez is one potential solution, while midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai could also be considered in a makeshift role if required.

Supporters are now awaiting further clarity on Frimpong’s condition, with Slot expected to provide an update during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Until then, uncertainty continues to hover over Liverpool’s defensive setup as they prepare for one of their most significant fixtures of the season.