Arne Slot has welcomed Jeremie Frimpong’s return to full fitness as Liverpool prepare for their upcoming match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he emphasized the need to carefully monitor the Dutch international’s playing time.
The 25-year-old defender came off the bench during Saturday’s 5-2 win over West Ham United, marking his first appearance after sitting out five games due to injury. His comeback significantly alters the team’s options during this packed schedule.
Speaking at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, Slot noted that the right-back spot has been among the trickiest areas for the squad lately, though challenges have arisen in multiple positions.
“I don’t believe right full-back was the only area we struggled with,” the head coach said. “It’s been an issue in several spots, but right-back has probably been the most noticeable. Getting Jeremie back is a real positive.”
With Liverpool set to play Wolves twice in quick succession this week, followed by a Champions League clash against Galatasaray and a short turnaround to face Brighton, Slot is determined not to overuse the 25-year-old. He stressed that while having a player available is valuable, sustaining that availability through multiple competitions is the bigger test.
“The schedule is intense—we’ve got three matches in seven days, including Galatasaray and then the early kick-off at Brighton,” Slot explained.
This creates a delicate balancing act for the club’s performance team, particularly with a player easing back from injury.
“You have to factor in all these elements, especially for those returning from injury,” he added. “At the same time, we understand how crucial every game is. It’s a challenge for the performance staff, the player, and the manager alike.”
Frimpong’s brief appearance against West Ham highlighted his immediate impact. In just 13 minutes, per SofaScore stats, he won all three of his ground duels, completed a successful dribble, and created a significant chance, injecting the kind of attacking impetus that had been absent from the right side.
Slot made it clear he’d much rather handle the headache of managing minutes than dealing with prolonged absences.
“I’m not alone in feeling this way,” he said. “I’d far prefer this issue—figuring out how many minutes to give him—than seeing him sidelined with the medical team for recovery.”
This cautious mindset defines Liverpool’s strategy over the coming weeks. The focus extends beyond just securing a win at Wolves; it involves juggling Premier League points, FA Cup progress, and a European knockout fixture in a short span. A fully recovered Frimpong bolsters the team’s attacking threat from the right flank.
While recent games, such as against Bournemouth, drew scrutiny over defensive positioning, displays like the one in Marseille demonstrated his offensive value, justifying Slot’s measured approach.
Liverpool now have a key option restored, but the main goal is ensuring Frimpong remains fit and available—not only for Tuesday’s game, but for the more critical matches on the horizon
