Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis worsened despite progressing to the Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 triumph over Qarabag.
Jeremie Frimpong was forced off with a muscle injury during the game, which left Reds boss Arne Slot with just three available defenders for the remainder of the clash.
“It’s obvious that if a player goes out like that, you don’t expect them to play Saturday against Newcastle,” Slot said on the right-back’s injury.
“So Jeremy is out and let’s see what the future brings.
“It’s a muscle injury but I don’t know how long it is. A muscle usually has to do with overloading a player, not always of course because he stretched in the moment, but it is the risk.
“Today has shown again that maybe things are a bit more complicated than people think.
“Jeremie is a great example of that. I think I got a question about could I understand that fans were a bit annoyed that you took Jeremie Frimpong off at Bournemouth. Maybe these same fans should have a different opinion because even with resting him, he got injured, and I think he was sitting here the day before the game telling you all how big of a difference the Bundesliga is to the Premier League.
“These are the things I have to take into account and apparently I played him too much recently for this to happen again.
“That’s really sad for him and also for us because our other full-back is out for the whole season. But we will find a way again. As you saw today, the way is usually as attacking as possible and that’s what we did today with players in positions we don’t expect them.”
Slot started midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in central defence against Qarabag, while another midfielder in Wataru Endo came on at right-back for the injured Frimpong.
The Reds boss was already without Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni through injury, while Ibrahima Konate is on compassionate leave following the death of his father.
Midfielder Curtis Jones, who has also played at right-back, missed the game with illness, meanwhile.
But Slot is hoping to have Konate back for their next Premier League game, though Gomez remains a doubt.
“Curtis was sick so we have to wait and see how it evolves,” Slot said on Jones.
“Joe might be tight but hoping and expecting to have Ibou back. I cannot guarantee this yet but we’re hoping that Ibou will be back with us and Joe will be tight.”
Asked if the club could turn to the transfer market for a short-term solution in defence, Slot replied: “We as a club always make decisions we think, at least, are smart decisions so we don’t only look at the short term but we also look at the long term, that’s why we signed young players as well, very good players but young ones that can still develop.
“It always depends on are there players available we think can help us and if there are, can we afford them? And is it also helpful for the longer term future because our players will come back from injury as well.
“We don’t have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four number nines. That’s not how it works over here.
“We have to do the smart things for the near future but also for the longer future. Let’s first see how Jeremie is, maybe he’s not able to play Saturday but maybe he’s able to play one or two days later.
“We now go into a schedule with one game a week so that would usually mean less injuries but you’re never sure.”
