Liverpool FC have been handed another worrying injury concern ahead of their crucial FA Cup clash with Manchester City, and this latest setback could force a major tactical rethink.
The issue emerged during international duty, where one of Liverpool’s key players was introduced at half-time, only to be forced off again shortly after. The reaction on the pitch made it clear that something was wrong, and concern quickly shifted from the national team to what this could mean for Liverpool.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman confirmed the situation after the game, stating: “That was a blow, we had to substitute him,” leaving little doubt that the change was injury-related rather than tactical.
For Liverpool, the timing could hardly be worse. With a high-stakes match approaching and a place at Wembley on the line, losing another player in a key position adds further pressure on an already stretched squad.
This season has already been heavily disrupted by injuries, and one particular area has been repeatedly affected—defense, especially on the right side.
That player is Jeremie Frimpong, who has endured a difficult debut season at Anfield, missing multiple matches due to recurring muscle problems and struggling to build any consistent rhythm.
His latest setback now puts Arne Slot in a familiar but uncomfortable position, as he once again has to find a solution without a natural right-back available.
Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a long-term injury, while Wataru Endo—who has occasionally filled in that role—is also unavailable, further limiting the available options.
As a result, Liverpool have repeatedly relied on improvised solutions, with Dominik Szoboszlai often deployed out of position to cover the gap, using his work rate and technical ability to adapt defensively.
Other options such as Joe Gomez or Curtis Jones could also be considered, but each comes with limitations, whether in terms of fitness, natural positioning, or match sharpness.
With such a crucial fixture approaching, Liverpool are once again forced into a familiar scenario—adjusting their system, reshuffling roles, and hoping their makeshift defensive setup can hold firm against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in Europe.