Liverpool’s defensive crisis has deepened after wing-back Jeremie Frimpong was forced off just 12 minutes into a substitute appearance for the Netherlands on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Dutch head coach Ronald Koeman confirmed the injury following the 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador, expressing his frustration at the recurring fitness issues plaguing the 25-year-old this season.
“That was a real setback—we had to take him off,” Koeman told reporters after the match. “It was a blow to the team, and we had to make the change immediately.”
The “Anfield Curse” Continues?
Frimpong, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, has endured a nightmare debut season on Merseyside.
Despite having a relatively clean bill of health in the Bundesliga, this latest incident marks his fourth separate muscle injury of the 2025–26 campaign.
- October: Hamstring strain vs. Eintracht Frankfurt.
- January: Muscle strain vs. Qarabag.
- March: Forced off vs. Ecuador after just 12 minutes.
Huge Blow for Arne Slot
The timing could not be worse for Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The Reds are entering the most defining stretch of their season and are already missing Conor Bradley, who is out with an ACL rupture.
Frimpong is now considered a major doubt for two massive upcoming fixtures:
- FA Cup Quarter-Final: vs. Manchester City (Saturday, April 4).
- Champions League Quarter-Final (First Leg): vs. Paris Saint-Germain (Wednesday, April 8).
Tactical Shift Expected
With both primary right-back options potentially sidelined, Slot may be forced to continue using Dominik Szoboszlai in a deeper defensive role or rely on the versatile Joe Gomez.
Liverpool’s medical staff are expected to conduct further scans once Frimpong returns to the AXA Training Centre this week to determine if his season is in jeopardy.
