Liverpool have suffered an injury to Jeremy Frimpong, with the right-back expected to be out for at least another month.
The Dutchman has endured a slow start to life at Anfield, with injury problems holding him back and playing in a team struggling for confidence.
Frimpong limped out of the 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt with his second hamstring problem of the season, which was one of many blows for Arne Slot.
This leaves Conor Bradley as the only first-team specialist at right-back, although Calvin Ramsay started Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
Now, the MailLewis Steele reports that Frimpong will be on the sidelines for a total of “about six weeks”.
The 24-year-old’s expected return date is early December, meaning he will be permanently out of the games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Man City before the November international break.
Frimpong will also be unavailable during a hectic period with Liverpool playing six times in 17 days between November 22 and December 9.
This is a clear setback for Frimpong, who has failed to build momentum so far.
The Dutch international has not adapted to the Premier League and the fact that he is no longer used as a full-back, as was the case at Bayer Leverkusen.
His extended absence makes it crucial for Bradley to stay fit – something he has not always found easy – and Ramsay may also need to be called up.
Frimpong’s injury and the domino effect for AFCON
It is also a blow because Frimpong could play on the right flank if Mohamed Salah leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations, the tournament of which starts on December 21.
Injuries can define any season and fitness issues are piling up for Liverpool, with the likes of Alisson, Curtis Jones and Alexander Isak likely to be absent from Saturday’s visit to Villa.
It makes a tough period for Slot even tougher, with the head coach coming under increasing pressure if results do not improve before the international break.
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