Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong will be out until after the international break after the right-back picked up a hamstring injury in last week’s win over Bournemouth.
Slot substituted the Dutchman in the second half of the 4-2 victory at Anfield – a decision that drew some criticism after the Reds threw away a two-goal lead with first Waturo Endo and then Joe Gomez filling in at right-back.
But the Reds boss insisted he had made the correct decision and stressed that the 24-year-old could have faced a longer spell on the sidelines had he stayed on the pitch.
A ‘good call’ to take Frimpong off
He told a press conference: “The medical team were completely right about Jeremie to tell me that I had to take him off because he is out until the end of the international break and that happened during the game.
“I think I got criticised a bit for taking him off, didn’t I?
“It was a good call to take him off otherwise he maybe would have been out for longer. We expect to have him back after the international break.”
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Who will play at right-back against Newcastle?
Frimpong’s injury leaves Slot with a selection dilemma ahead of Monday’s showdown with Newcastle and the visit of title rivals Arsenal on August 31.
Gomez has just returned after an Achilles injury ruled him out of much of pre-season, while Conor Bradley only resumed training on Thursday.
The Dutchman may therefore turn again to Japanese midfielder Endo, with Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai also options.
Alexander Isak won’t face Liverpool
Slot, meanwhile, again refused to be drawn on Liverpool’s reported interest in Magpies striker Alexander Isak.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that the Sweden international will play no part against Liverpool on Monday night amid his ongoing dispute with the club.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will return with a higher offer after having had a £110 million bid rejected earlier this month, and Slot was giving nothing away on Thursday.
He added: “I am happy with the squad but if we think there is a player who can really make us better then this club has always shown they can bring them in.
“But it needs to be everything we want: right transfer fee, right position and the player wants to come to us.
“I don’t think it will be a busy end to the window because that would mean I would be unhappy with the squad and I am happy with the squad.”
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