Arne Slot Delivers Brutal Injury News as Liverpool Faces Squad Nightmare

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has essentially ruled out both Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez from starting against Sunderland this Wednesday evening, creating a significant selection dilemma at right-back following Dominik Szoboszlai's suspension.

The official's debatable (yet technically accurate) choice to brandish a red card to Szoboszlai during Liverpool's 2–1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday has deprived Slot of his top performer and one of his limited right-back alternatives. Primary option Conor Bradley remains sidelined for the campaign while the prompt availability of his two potential replacements was pessimistically assessed by the increasingly pressured Reds manager.

"Jeremie definitely not," Slot expressed when evaluating Frimpong's availability for the Sunderland clash. "We understood when he sustained the injury that it would be several weeks."

"Honestly, I don't anticipate Joe returning for Wednesday, though anything's possible," he cautiously stated. "After being absent for three weeks, would you field him immediately? That's my call to make. We'll see what choice we reach."

Slot maintained that Liverpool "possess other squad members capable of filling that role" but his alternatives are dwindling fast.

Who Can Liverpool Deploy at Right Back vs. Sunderland?

Who Can Liverpool Deploy at Right Back vs. Sunderland?

Liverpool actually possess a healthy, internationally recognized right-back within their squad. The problem is that Slot has zero confidence in his abilities.

Despite remaining available throughout the campaign, Calvin Ramsay has received merely one first-team opportunity this season. The 22-year-old failed to make an impact during a disappointing 3–0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace. The former Scotland representative has featured in only two prior matches for Liverpool's senior side, instead spending recent seasons on loan spells at four separate clubs.

Following an unsuccessful stint at Kilmarnock, Ramsay rejoined Liverpool's Under-21 setup during the summer hoping for precisely this type of injury situation. Slot, nevertheless, has found little justification to involve the defender in anything beyond training sessions. "He remains with our group, but I believe I have superior alternatives available," the manager acknowledged in January.

Even with those alternatives reduced by Szoboszlai's ban, Slot might prefer to utilize Curtis Jones as an alternative. The local Liverpool product has found playing time scarce in his preferred midfield role, sitting behind Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz in the hierarchy for central positions. Nevertheless, he could receive an emergency call-up at right-back this week.

Liverpool's Focused Injury Problems

Liverpool's Focused Injury Problems

Jones has shown inconsistent form during his brief defensive outings. It was in this role where he led Liverpool to a 3–1 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City in 2023 while also completing the entire match in last season's Merseyside derby success at Anfield alongside Ibrahima Konaté.

Yet Jones was among the defensive unit that conceded four goals in the devastating Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven last November. Slot completely overhauled his team's approach following that setback, emphasizing defensive stability and possession over the squad's natural offensive tendencies. Removing an inherently attack-minded player like Jones from defense has been integral to that shift.

Wataru Endo, a defensively oriented midfielder with more experience at center-back than patrolling the flanks, did fill in at right-back against Qarabağ last month when Frimpong initially suffered his current injury. Among the more unconventional choices would be Federico Chiesa, who developed at Fiorentina as a right wing-back but lacks experience operating in a traditional back four.

Whichever player takes the field at the Stadium of Light midweek faces a challenging examination.

The Bittersweet Irony of Liverpool's Sunderland Visit

The Bittersweet Irony of Liverpool's Sunderland Visit

Liverpool will encounter the missed answer to their present difficulties on Wednesday. The Reds pursued a late winter transfer for Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida. The RB Leipzig loanee has previous experience working under Slot at Feyenoord and would immediately provide another valuable defensive option.

The defender was reportedly interested in reuniting with his previous manager but the transfer collapsed due to complicated circumstances. Since Geertruida was merely on loan at Sunderland, the Black Cats required compensation before Liverpool could negotiate a separate agreement with his parent club, RB Leipzig.

Sunderland face no similar depth issues at right-back and have been able to include Geertruida among their substitutes for their previous four Premier League fixtures, preferring former Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele in the starting lineup. The summer signing remains undefeated at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, which has become a difficult venue for teams with considerably more squad depth than Liverpool.

Manchester United and Manchester City both suffered defeats on Wearside by a combined margin of 5–0 while table-toppers Arsenal managed only a draw during their November trip. Indeed, no team has secured a Premier League away victory against Régis Le Bris's resilient side. League Two pacesetters Bromley represent the sole other club across England's four professional tiers maintaining an unbeaten home streak this campaign.

Virgil van Dijk refused to dwell on the contentious nature of Sunday's loss to Manchester City. "We must focus on Sunderland," he cautioned. "That will be a difficult match." The absence of a natural right-back will only intensify the challenge ahead.