Liverpool Defender Jeremie Frimpong Back in Training After Hamstring Injury
Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has made a significant step towards his return to the pitch, rejoining training on Thursday after a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old Netherlands international was forced off just four minutes into last month's Champions League victory over Qarabag, compounding the right-back issues faced by head coach Arne Slot.
Frimpong's Injury History and Potential Return
This season, Frimpong has experienced two other lengthy lay-offs with similar hamstring problems, making this latest setback particularly concerning for the squad. However, his appearance in training photographs published by the club indicates he is now in contention to feature in Saturday's Premier League visit of West Ham United. During his absence, Liverpool have struggled to fill the right-back position effectively, with midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and the since-injured Wataru Endo both starting there, while defender Joe Gomez has only been fit enough for bench duty after recovering from a knee issue.
Florian Wirtz Absent from Training
In contrast, playmaker Florian Wirtz was notably absent from the training images released by Liverpool. Wirtz was forced to pull out of the warm-up ahead of last weekend's match at Nottingham Forest after exacerbating a back injury. Following Sunday's victory, Slot commented on Wirtz's condition, stating, "We don't think it is very serious. He wasn't able to be 100 per cent or even close to 100 per cent." Slot added that Wirtz has learned from his experience in the league that players must be fully fit to perform at this level, leading to the decision not to risk him.
The return of Frimpong could provide a much-needed boost to Liverpool's defensive options, especially given the ongoing fitness concerns in the squad. His availability for the West Ham clash will depend on how he responds in the coming days, but his presence in training marks a positive development after a challenging month for the player and the team.
