Arne Slot gives Jeremie Frimpong injury update with Liverpool facing defensive injury crisis

Jan 28, 2026 - 23:30

Liverpool have been handed an injury headache at right-back after Jeremie Frimpong was forced off against Qarabag.

The full-back hobbled off just three minutes into their Champions League clash at Anfield, with Reds head coach Arne Slot saying the player will be out for Liverpool’s clash against Newcastle on Saturday at the least.

Liverpool’s Dutch defender #30 Jeremie Frimpong leaves the pitch with an injury during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Qarabag at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 28, 2026.

Frimpong was forced off just three minutes into Liverpool’s clash with Qarabag[/caption]

Frimpong appeared to suffer a hamstring injury as he pulled up when chasing the ball.

Speaking after the match, Slot all but confirmed he is expecting to be without the Dutch international at the weekend.

Asked about the injury, he told reporters: “It’s obvious that if a player goes out like that, you don’t expect him to play Saturday against Newcastle.”

The 25-year-old has already endured three separate layoffs with a similar issue since joining the club in the summer.

His most recent hamstring issue saw Frimpong miss 12 matches during a two-month absence between October and December.

Wataru Endo came off the bench for Arne Slot’s side to replace his stricken team-mate.

The injury is a potentially huge blow for the Reds boss with Conor Bradley already ruled out for the season.

Bradley is sidelined after undergoing surgery on a knee injury suffered against Arsenal earlier this month.

With Frimpong also set for a spell on the sidelines, Slot is without a recognised right-back in his senior squad.

Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai have both been deployed as makeshift full-backs in the position in the past, though.

Jeremie Frimpong injured against Qarabag — Frimpong went down early on into the clash at Anfield, and he was taken off very promptly

However, the former picked up an injury of his own against Bournemouth on Saturday, ruling him out against Qarabag.

Fortunately for the Reds, Gomez’s hip injury is understood to not be serious.

Confirming his absence in his pre-match press conference, Slot told reporters: “Not really. But I can confirm that he is not available for tomorrow.

“I expect him back in a relatively short period of time.”

Transfer action

The Liverpool boss may now be forced to utilise the transfer market before the window closes on Monday.

Slot has yet to make any signings this month following his £436million summer spending spree.

Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool leaves the field after suffering an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK at Anfield on January 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England.

Frimpong appeared to suffer a hamstring injury after pulling up early on at Anfield[/caption]

Away from right-back, the Premier League champions are also without three other first-team players through injury.

Giovanni Leoni will be out until August at the earliest after tearing his ACL in September.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate was also forced out of the clash against Qarabag, whilst Alexander Isak’s absence is set to last into March.

Despite the injury blow, Liverpool cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Azeri champions to confirm their top eight spot.

However, Slot suggested Liverpool wouldn’t be pressured to making any snap decisions in the January transfer window.

We as a club always make decisions, as we at least think smart decisions,” Slot added in his post-match press conference.

Liverpool players celebrate goal against Qarabag — Frimpong’s injury was the only stain on a successful night for Liverpool as they hit Qarabag for six

“So we not only look the short term, we also look at the long term. Longer term, that’s why we sign young players as well.

“Very good players, but young ones that can still develop. Now we can see this development with a few. And it always depends on are there players available that we think can help us? And if they are, can we afford them?

“And does this also be helpful for the longer term future? Because our players come back from injury as well.

“And I just said that we don’t have a squad where we have four right backs and 12 midfielders and three or four number nines. That’s not how it works over here.

“So we have to do smart things for the near future, but also for the longer future. And let’s first see how Jeremie is.

“Maybe he’s not able to play Saturday, but maybe he’s able to play one or two days later. And we now go into a schedule with one game a week.”

Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag

The injury to Frimpong was the only negative on a successful evening for the Reds as they sealed their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League as they came third in the league phase table.

Slot’s men got into a commanding 2-0 lead at half time thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz.

The floodgates opened after the break with Mac Allister scoring a second, while Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa also got on the scoresheet.

Liverpool will face either Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge or Galatasaray in the last-16 of the Champions League.