The intense anticipation surrounding Tuesday’s high-stakes Champions League showdown between Liverpool and Real Madrid has suddenly been overshadowed by devastating injury news.
Arne Slot has officially confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong—one of Liverpool’s brightest and most dangerous new signings—will not take part in the match. His unexpected absence has thrown Liverpool’s plans into chaos and given Real Madrid a huge psychological and tactical advantage ahead of kickoff.
Supporters have reacted with disbelief and anger, largely because many feel the circumstances behind his unavailability should have been avoided.
Frimpong, who has quickly become a major figure in Liverpool’s system following his summer arrival, was brought in to strengthen attacking play down the right side and help replace the creative influence that Trent Alexander-Arnold once delivered from defense. His blistering pace, ability to progress the ball, and confidence going forward made him a central piece of Slot’s approach in the biggest matches.
However, hopes have now been dashed once again, as Frimpong has been ruled out due to a recurring hamstring injury—an issue that has already interrupted his progress at Anfield. The setback can be traced back to Liverpool’s Champions League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22, when he limped off early in the first half. Scans following that match revealed damage that would keep him sidelined for nearly six weeks, meaning he’ll not only miss the clash with Real Madrid but also important Premier League games against both Manchester City and West Ham United.
The disappointment among the fanbase goes beyond the loss of a top performer. What has intensified the outrage is the repetitive nature of this same injury.
This is now the second time in just a few months that Frimpong has suffered a similar hamstring problem, after another scare back in August.
Because the injury has resurfaced so quickly, serious concerns are being raised regarding his physical durability, training workload, and how effectively Liverpool’s medical and fitness team are managing him. The term “unacceptable” has been echoed by many supporters who expected a marquee signing to be better protected and properly conditioned.
Slot himself had already voiced alarm earlier, admitting that Frimpong was “not in a good place” following the Frankfurt match and expressing worry that the defender might have to sit out for a significant stretch. That concern has now become a troubling reality. For a club chasing trophies on every front, losing an important player so early and repeatedly creates unnecessary vulnerability.
Instead of becoming the reliable weapon Liverpool hoped for, Frimpong’s struggle to stay fit has turned into a worrying storyline—one that threatens to disrupt the team’s momentum at a crucial point in the season.
