Arne Slot praises Jeremie Frimpong’s versatility, says he can deputise for Mohamed Salah
The Athletic has reside protection of Crystal Palace vs Liverpool within the Neighborhood Defend
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says Jeremie Frimpong’s capacity to deputise for Mohamed Salah was one of many causes the membership signed him from Bayer Leverkusen this summer time.
With Conor Bradley a significant health doubt for Sunday’s Neighborhood Defend towards Crystal Palace, the £29.5million signing is predicted to begin at right-back at Wembley.
Nevertheless, Slot additionally sees Frimpong as having a task to play additional ahead this season, particularly when Salah is away on the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt in December and January.
“We positively thought of that (Salah being away at AFCON),” Slot mentioned.
“We introduced in Jeremie Frimpong as a result of we predict he can play for granted full-back, however I additionally really feel that he can play for granted winger. We are going to miss Mo for a most of six video games, however that’s quite a bit within the Premier League, particularly while you see how nicely he did final season.
“Signing Jeremie was for a number of causes however one in every of them was that he may exchange Mo if Mo will not be there. There are different choices as nicely however Jeremie is certainly one in every of them.”
Slot refused to be drawn on Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak because the membership eye a substitute for Darwin Nunez, who’s near becoming a member of Saudi Professional League outfit Al Hilal for round £46m. The Sweden worldwide stays the membership’s prime goal after a £110m bid was rejected final week.
“As you already know from me and I feel each supervisor works like this, you don’t speak about gamers who aren’t yours,” Slot mentioned.
“I can speak to you about Hugo (Ekitike), who we signed just lately. He’s carried out very well till now. We’re actually proud of the squad we’ve received. Gamers have left however we’ve introduced gamers in as nicely and the kids are doing nicely. Darwin may go away certainly however issues are usually not signed but. You have to wait a couple of days earlier than that’s fully carried out.”
Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who has lit up the pleasant matches, has performed his approach into Slot’s plans for the season forward and the Dutchman insists he’s proud of the depth of expertise within the squad.
“Rio confirmed in the previous few video games he performed for us that at senior degree he can have an effect as nicely,” Slot added.
“We expect we have already got quite a lot of attacking energy in our workforce. Once I take into consideration Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Jeremie Frimpong, who can play for granted winger, Florian Wirtz, who can play as a left winger. I really feel that I have already got lot of attacking choices, however as a membership we’re all the time alternatives out there.”
Captain Virgil van Dijk and Alisson are again in rivalry for Sunday’s recreation towards Palace however Joe Gomez (Achilles) stays sidelined.
Slot continues to be managing Alexis Mac Allister’s recreation time after the midfielder missed the beginning of pre-season.
“Alexis will probably be within the squad,” Slot mentioned. “He was out for 2 months I feel or longer. He educated with us since every week now, performed half-hour, 45 minutes. Beginning is feasible however positively not for 90 minutes.”
(Carl Recine/Getty Photos)