Back from injury and straight into the spotlight, Jeremie Frimpong has given Arne Slot a problem every manager secretly craves.
Arne Slot’s early weeks at Liverpool have been marked more by smooth improvisation than by genuine selection dilemmas. Injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley conveniently pushed Dominik Szoboszlai into an emergency right-back role, a gamble that paid off handsomely against Newcastle and Arsenal. Yet with Frimpong back on the pitch and Bradley also available, Slot now confronts his first genuine balancing act.
Frimpong’s late cameo at Burnley was more than symbolic. The Netherlands international, sidelined for four weeks with a hamstring injury, not only injected pace but also delivered the decisive moment.
His cross drew a stoppage-time handball from Hannibal Mejbri, allowing Mohamed Salah to seal victory from the penalty spot. Minutes earlier, Frimpong nearly snatched the winner himself, denied only by Martin Dubravka.
His Instagram post after the game – “Back in my favourite place. Huge three points” underscored his hunger to reclaim the right flank.
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Arne Slot faces new Frimpong challenge
But the equation is no longer straightforward. Szoboszlai’s adaptability has complicated matters. His assured performances at right-back showcased his intelligence, energy, and tactical discipline, all qualities Slot admires.
Restoring him to midfield seems logical, especially with Alexis Mac Allister nursing an ankle problem and Curtis Jones unavailable. Yet Szoboszlai has proved he can be more than a stopgap in defence.
Liverpool’s £450m summer outlay has also reshaped the competitive landscape. The late arrival of Alexander Isak will intensify the battle for attacking spots alongside Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike.
In midfield, Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Jones are vying with Szoboszlai for two deeper roles. And at right-back, four options now jostle: Frimpong, Bradley, Szoboszlai, and the versatile Joe Gomez.
Slot has largely been spared from difficult trade-offs until now. Injuries simplified choices; players filled gaps out of necessity. That cushion has gone. Liverpool’s squad is close to full strength, and with it comes the inevitable friction of elite competition.
Frimpong’s return, with its burst of speed and confidence, is timely. But his eight-word message is also a reminder: he did not join Liverpool to sit on the bench. For Slot, the honeymoon is over. Real choices await.
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