Arne Slot has five solutions to Liverpool’s biggest problem for Newcastle clash

Liverpool go to Newcastle on Monday night, and the absence of right-back Jeremie Frimpong has given Arne Slot a difficult puzzle to try and solve

It won’t just be Alexander Isak who is missing from St James’ Park on Monday night, with the absence of Jeremie Frimpong causing Arne Slot a headache at a time he could have done without one.

The Dutchman has impressed since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, scoring an admittedly fortunate goal in the Community Shield before offering pace and width in the opening Premier League night win over Bournemouth.

Reds fans had bemoaned Slot’s decision to take Frimpong off against the Cherries, with many claiming that his withdrawal led to the hosts losing all momentum and allowing Bournemouth, and in particular Antoine Semenyo, back into the game.

But with Frimpong now ruled out until after the international break with a hamstring injury, the reasons behind the substitution are clearer, and there is no doubt the Reds will miss his influence both on Monday evening and against Arsenal next weekend.

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So what does Slot do to replace him? Well the options are varied, but all come with their own risks.

In an ideal world Slot would turn to Conor Bradley to fill in the right-back role, but the Northern Irishman had a disrupted pre-season due to injury and wasn’t even on the bench against Bournemouth.

Slot said that he had joined in training for “a few minutes” at his press conference on Thursday, but he might take the view that this game comes too soon for him. especially with Arsenal on the horizon next weekend.

Joe Gomez would be another option after his impressive cameo against Bournemouth, but Slot rather worryingly admitted that he hasn’t been able to train for three days in a row of late, and he is yet to start a game under the Dutchman at right-back.

All of which offers the potential for a more left-wing solution at right-back, with Dominik Szoboszlai a live option after playing there during pre-season. The Hungarian is always a willing worker and would no doubt put a shift in if he started there, but there would be worries defensively.

The same can be said for Curtis Jones, who started the Merseyside derby at right-back last season, but is perhaps only suited for the role in games such as that one where the Reds will dominate possession, something they aren’t likely to do at Newcastle.

There is also the chance that Wataru Endo starts there after replacing Frimpong against Bournemouth, although his display didn’t exactly impress or fill you with any confidence.

A difficult choice for Slot then, and one that could end up defining the game.

Mirror Football’s prediction: Gomez to start at right-back, replaced by Bradley in the second half

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