Liverpool have been handed a huge blow with the news that Jeremie Frimpong is set to be out of action until after the international break with a hamstring injury.
Daily Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that the Dutchman, who signed from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer, was substituted in Liverpool’s opening game of the Premier League season after complaining of a knock.
Arne Slot confirmed the news in Thursday’s press conference, telling reporters that he was advised to take Frimpong off by his medical team.
‘The medical team was completely right about it, to tell me I had to take him off,’ the Premier League winning manager said.
‘He’s out until the end of the international break, and that happened in the game.
‘I think I got criticised a bit for taking him off, didn’t I? I already said immediately after the game it had nothing to do with how he played.
‘We felt he had an issue with the hamstring, the medical staff, and they were completely right.
‘Good call to take him off, otherwise he would maybe have been out for longer. We expect him to be back after the international break.’
Frimpong will miss Liverpool’s trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Monday as well as a huge clash at home to Arsenal on August 31.
While the news will no doubt come as a disappointment to Reds fans, Conor Bradley has recovered from a hamstring injury ahead of the trip to the Magpies.
Slot revealed that the Northern Ireland full-back, who missed Liverpool’s first two games of the season with a hamstring injury, returned to training on Thursday.
Whether Bradley will be fit enough to feature on Monday remains to be seen.
Elsewhere in the press conference, the Reds boss was particularly coy when asked about the Alexander Isak transfer drama which has captured the attention of fans across the country.
After the Swede striker told the Magpies of his desire to leave the club, they rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool for his services, with Eddie Howe’s side keen to sort a replacement before letting him go.
Isak has however now gone on strike, refusing to train with his team-mates or play for Newcastle in a bid to force a move.
And in a bombshell statement on Wednesday, the once-adored Tyneside front man appeared to close the door on a possible return to first team action at St James’ Park.
When asked about the situation on Thursday, Slot responded: ‘What I can tell you is not a lot!
‘And if someone else asks the question it is going to be the same answer. I could even impact the game Friday I had on the bench, Federico came and scored a goal and it would be much nicer to take about the players I have.
‘[Monday’s game] is nothing to do with anything that is in the media but if you go to Newcastle you know what to expect.
‘We played them three times last season and twice their intensity levels were above ours. In the League Cup final they were more intense then us as well. I don’t think they need anything to add to them being more intense.
‘Apart from that it is a very good team. They can make it a fight and have players that are so comfortable on the ball. One of the best teams in the league and one of the most difficult away games you can have.’
Isak will almost certainly not feature against Liverpool in what is a huge game next week as he continues his refusal to play for Eddie Howe and Newcastle.
