Arne Slot reveals Liverpool transfer stance on defenders after Jeremie Frimong injury

The Reds could have just three fit defenders for Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle, if Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez have not recovered from injury in time

Arne Slot said Jeremie Frimpong's injury will not force the club into the transfer market

Arne Slot said Jeremie Frimpong’s injury does not look serious and it is unlikely to force Liverpool to take action in the January transfer market.

The defender was the latest to add his name to the mounting number of injury concerns when he was replaced after just four minutes in the Champions League win over Qarabag on Wednesday.

Frimpong’s untimely injury was the only sour note on an excellent night for the Reds, as they secured a last-16 Champions League spot courtesy of a 6-0 victory over Qarabag. The Dutch international looked devastated as he made his way off the pitch and headed immediately down the tunnel.

While it looks likely Slot will have to find a creative solution at right-back for Saturday’s game against Newcastle United, especially with Conor Bradley not available, the Liverpool head coach does not think the former Bayer Leverkusen man is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.

“It's a muscle injury, but I don't know how long that's going to be,” Slot said after the emphatic win at Anfield.

“So that's not a knee. And a muscle usually has to do with overloading a player. So not always, of course, because he's stretched in the moment.

“But it is the risk. That's why I took Hugo [Ekitike] and Florian [Wirtz] off tonight as well. Because those are the players that are not as much used than Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or Dom [Szoboszlai], who are already longer at these both levels.

Jeremie Frimpong suffered an early injury against Qarabag.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

On Frimpong, he added: “Maybe he's not able to play Saturday, but maybe he's able to play one or two days later. We're now going to a schedule with one game a week. So that would usually mean less injuries. But you're never sure."

Asked if Frimpong’s injury and the lack of defensive options could force a rethink in the final days of the January transfer market, Slot replied: “As a club, we always make decisions - what we think are smart decisions - not only in the short term but the long term, which is why we sign younger players.

“It always depends on whether there are players available that we think can help us. If there are, can we afford them?

Slot is hopeful Frimpong's injury will not be a long-term issue, and that Konate and Gomez will be back soon(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“And is this also helpful for the longer-term future, because our players come back from injury as well. I just said that we don't have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four no.9s.

“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. Let's first see how Jeremie is.”

Slot also confirmed that Ibrahima Konate might be back in time for the Newcastle game on Saturday, while Joe Gomez was described as “tight” and Curtis Jones’ illness will continue to be assessed over the coming days.

“I cannot guarantee this yet but we're hoping that Ibou will be back with us and Joe will be back.”