Liverpool’s Harm Issues Cloud Robust Begin
Liverpool have opened the defence of their Premier League title with the resilience of champions, but damage issues are already casting shadows over Arne Slot’s squad. Friday evening at Anfield delivered a six-goal spectacle in opposition to Bournemouth, with Federico Chiesa moving into the highlight because the unlikely match-winner and Joe Gomez marking his long-awaited return from damage.
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Chiesa, usually ignored after a muted debut season, rose from the bench to revive Liverpool’s benefit following a two-goal slip. Mohamed Salah then sealed a 4-2 victory, guaranteeing the Reds’ flawless begin to the season continued.
Frimpong’s Hamstring Pressure
Slot’s celebrations have been tempered by contemporary damage considerations. Jeremie Frimpong, a summer season arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, noticed his Premier League debut reduce quick by a sore hamstring. With Ryan Gravenberch again in competition after suspension, Slot will hope the extra restoration days earlier than Newcastle away show well timed.
Understandably cautious, the supervisor defined his resolution to withdraw Frimpong.
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“It wasn’t out of luxurious,” Slot defined. “Jeremie Frimpong felt his hamstring at half-time and made quite a lot of sprints.
“He was doing fairly properly, however our different full-back, Conor Bradley, is already injured with a hamstring damage, so that you don’t to take the chance of dropping one other full-back.”
Proper-Again Choices Underneath Pressure
Liverpool’s depth at right-back has been examined severely. Conor Bradley, sidelined with a hamstring difficulty, stays unavailable, and his absence intensifies the pressure on Slot’s choices. His damage has already dominated him out in opposition to Athletic Membership, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, leaving uncertainty round his potential return.
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“You possibly can argue, why don’t you play Joe Gomez there, however he solely had two classes in pre-season and will solely play half an hour, so we began with Wataru Endo and our left full-back Milos Kerkez.”
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Frimpong is being focused for a comeback on August 25 in opposition to Newcastle at St James’ Park, although Bradley’s return date stays unknown.
Newcastle Problem Looms
With Alexander Isak’s identify swirling in switch hypothesis, Liverpool’s go to to Newcastle carries further intrigue. For Slot, the rapid concern is guaranteeing defensive stability at right-back, the place an damage disaster threatens to derail early-season momentum. The Reds have proven their attacking energy, however the battle to maintain key gamers match might outline their subsequent stretch of video games.