When Liverpool travels to Newcastle United on Monday night, they have a bit of a right-back dilemma. Conor Bradley, who only started training again this week, is still on the road to recovery, while Jeremie Frimpong is expected to be out until the end of the international break.
Wataru Endo has also played in the position, and Joe Gomez has only made one Premier League appearance since December, coming on as a substitute in Friday night’s 4-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Slot is left with a real selection conundrum ahead of Monday night’s anticipated sweltering atmosphere at St. James’ Park.
Depending on your overall perspective, one may or may not be alarmed by speed merchant Jeremie Frimpong’s hamstring injury so early in his Premier League debut.
However, Arne Slot must be a little worried as he prepares for a stint on the sidelines after the Netherlands was pulled from the match against Bournemouth on Friday, per the club’s medical staff’s recommendation.
However, I’m not sure if I would risk him for this on Monday. With players like Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes defending the Reds, it will be a fierce and exciting match at St. James’ Park. Everyone must be at their best to defeat the Magpies that evening.
His skill in possession also provides Liverpool with a deep-range attacking weapon that Frimpong might not have offered if he had been healthy. Liverpool needs all the strength they can get because Newcastle’s midfield is so aggressive, and Szoboszlai’s constant running and enthusiasm might help on Monday night. Bradley has about 30 minutes to wait in the wings.
In recent years, Liverpool has experienced defensive selection issues against Newcastle United. Last season, Jarell Quansah started at right-back with Joe Gomez needed at center-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold not quite fit enough for 90 minutes, and Conor Bradley injured. Two years ago, Quansah was forced into his senior debut late on after Virgil van Dijk had been sent off earlier.
This time, Jeremie Frimpong is out, Bradley and Gomez are not at 100%, and Alexander-Arnold and Quansah, who also started the League Cup final against Newcastle at right-back, are both out.
Dominik Szoboszlai occasionally filled in during preseason, and Curtis Jones briefly played at right-back earlier in the season. However, neither is a professional defender.
Given that Gomez hasn’t played more than 20 minutes of Premier League football since December, starting him would be a huge push.
Therefore, mixing and matching would be the solution. Bradley should be fairly sharp because he hasn’t been out for a long time and did play in the first four preseason games.
He can stay for the first hour, and in the next half hour, he might give Gomez a chance to practice. Arne Slot has previously demonstrated that he is capable of making very original choices, and this might be another chance to do so.