Liverpool’s defensive issues continue to deepen at the worst possible moment, with fresh injury concerns emerging just as the Reds prepare for crucial Premier League clashes against Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Arne Slot’s side has been dealt another significant setback at the back after summer signing Jeremie Frimpong was forced off almost immediately during Liverpool’s encounter with Qarabag.
The Dutch right-back endured a nightmare start to the match, lasting less than two minutes before suddenly pulling up and going to ground. Frimpong required immediate medical attention and was eventually helped off the pitch, clearly struggling as he made his way down the tunnel. Wataru Endo was quickly introduced as his replacement, underlining how limited Slot’s defensive options have become.
There is growing concern within the club that Frimpong may have suffered yet another hamstring problem. If confirmed, it would be a cruel blow for the defender, whose first season at Anfield has already been severely disrupted by two previous hamstring injuries. Slot will be anxiously awaiting further assessments, knowing that another absence would further stretch an already depleted back line.
Liverpool’s problems at right-back are particularly acute. Conor Bradley has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury involving both bone and ligament damage. The issue occurred during the goalless draw against league leaders Arsenal earlier this month, leaving Slot without one of his most reliable defensive options for the remainder of the season.
Adding to the headache, Joe Gomez is also unavailable. The versatile defender picked up a knock in an unfortunate collision with goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the first half of Liverpool’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. Gomez’s absence has forced further reshuffling in defence, highlighting how thin the squad has become in that area.
Liverpool were also without Ibrahima Konaté for the Qarabag match following the recent passing of his father. With both Konaté and Gomez sidelined, Slot was left with little choice but to deploy midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk, pairing the Dutch international with his Netherlands teammate in an improvised partnership.
The injury list extends beyond defence. Club-record signing Alexander Isak remains unavailable after undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula and ankle injury sustained in the clash with Tottenham shortly before Christmas. Meanwhile, highly rated teenage defender Giovanni Leoni will not return until next season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his debut in the Carabao Cup back in September.
Despite the growing list of absentees, Slot made two changes from the Bournemouth defeat for the European fixture. Andy Robertson—who has been linked with a potential move to Tottenham ahead of the January transfer window—returned to the starting lineup, while Hugo Ekitike was also introduced. Milos Kerkez and Joe Gomez dropped out, and Dominik Szoboszlai was moved into a deeper midfield role alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
On the pitch, Liverpool started strongly, racing into a two-goal lead before half-time. Mac Allister opened the scoring, while Florian Wirtz netted his first Champions League goal for the club. Mohamed Salah later added another after the break as the Reds secured a convincing result.
However, attention quickly turned back to their mounting defensive concerns. With demanding Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Manchester City looming, Slot faces a race against time to stabilise his back line as Liverpool aim to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
