Arne Slot ALREADY needs to replace new signing after injury blow | OneFootball

Liverpool’s squad is looking a tad unbalanced right now ahead of the transfer window closing.

There is a lack of options up front for example while Arne Slot has got three senior left-backs at his disposal.

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One area of the pitch which was NOT expected to present a problem at this early stage of the season however is right-back.

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But that’s the situation in which Slot finds himself just a few days before a crucial Premier League showdown at St. James’ Park against Newcastle on Monday.

Frimpong injured, Bradley a doubt

It would appear Jeremie Frimpong is the current first-choice right-back. He signed for around £29.5m from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer.

Although not a natural right-back he has played there in preseason as well as in the season opener versus Bournemouth. The problem is that the 24-year-old has been injured.

Nursing a hamstring injury, Frimpong will be missing until after the September international break.

Now that might not ordinarily be an issue but Conor Bradley has only just resumed training following another injury of his own.

We must wait and see whether a fully-fit Bradley ends up with the starting shirt ahead of Frimpong - but he’s got a new contract and a new shirt number. That strongly suggests he’s got a good chance.

Who else can Liverpool use at right-back?

If Bradley does not make a full recovery then Slot will have his first selection conundrum of the season just two games in.

He admitted that Bradley trained “for a few minutes” with the group on Friday but whoever plays on the right is going to have a stern examination with Harvey Barnes - or Anthony Gordon - to contend with.

Slot must therefore think carefully over what becomes of the right-back berth on Monday.

But who else could come into the side if both Bradley and Frimpong are unavailable?

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Gomez or Jones?

The most obvious player available would be Joe Gomez. Liverpool’s utility man is no stranger to covering right-back but he too has been struggling.

Arne Slot stated that the 28-year-old was unable to train three days in a row following his appearance versus Bournemouth and he is coming off an injury blow which sidelined him during preseason.

That leaves Slot facing the prospect of playing a non-specialist in there.

Could we see Curtis Jones make a return to right-back?

The midfielder has played there a few times for the Reds - including last season under Slot - and has got the capability in possession to do a job. But how would he fare on the turn one-v-one?

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Szoboszlai a wildcard option

Then there’s the intriguing option of adding Dominik Szoboszlai to the defensive shape.

Slot hinted that the £60m midfield schemer could be deployed there - having had a few successful outings there in preseason.

The head coach also turned to Wataru Endo during the Bournemouth game but it would be fair to say that the Japanese defensive midfielder didn’t manage brilliantly. Liverpool struggled against the counter against the Cherries - especially down the opposition left flank.

These injury problems couldn’t have come at a worse time. Having sold Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool are in a position where Frimpong is their first choice and not a natural right-back while Bradley and Gomez are worryingly prone to fitness setbacks.

Slot therefore faces REPLACING one of his landmark summer signings after only one match - and it is very much a doubt who comes into the side instead.