An update on the return date of Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has emerged ahead of the Reds’ trip to Nottingham Forest.
Arne Slot is set to still be without a natural right-back for the trip to The City Ground, meaning Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai will likely fill in for the Dutchman once again.
Liverpool can move into the Champions League places if results elsewhere go in their favour and they secure a third successive win in all competitions.
Jeremie Frimpong still not back for Liverpool
Frimpong has been out of action for three weeks already since limping off in the early stages of a European clash with Qarabag in late January.
It’s now been revealed that the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man will remain out for another week. That means his expected return date will be the February 28 clash against West Ham United at Anfield.
Jeremie Frimpong’s Liverpool statistics:
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| Premier League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 541′ |
| Champions League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 233′ |
| FA Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 60′ |
| League Cup (EFL) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 90′ |
| FA Community Shield | 1 | 1 | 0 | 90′ |
| Total | 19 | 2 | 1 | 1,014′ |
With Conor Bradley already ruled out for the remainder of the season, Slot and his coaching staff are being cautious and don’t want to rush Frimpong back into the fold.
Slot was upbeat about the severity of the muscle injury initially, and his forecast appears to be spot on. He said: “He is out for a few weeks, but [it’s] not as bad as we thought, so something positive from something not so positive.”
Liverpool’s right-back options
The most consistently used makeshift right-back this season has been Szoboszlai. While the Hungarian has been outstanding in the middle of the park this term, he’s also proven to be impeccable in the backline.
The dilemma then comes with the sheer energy Slot’s side lose when he’s operating on the right-hand side of the defence.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s Liverpool statistics (2025/26):
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| Premier League | 24 | 4 | 4* | 2,153′ |
| Champions League | 8 | 4 | 4 | 705′ |
| Domestic Cups | 3 | 2 | 0 | 270′ |
| Total | 35 | 10 | 8 | 3,128′ |
The closest option the Dutch manager has to a natural right-back is Englishman Joe Gomez. The Reds’ longest-serving player is a solid option, but has had many fitness issues of his own.
Curtis Jones played his way into contention for the role with his impressive display during the 3-0 FA Cup win against Brighton & Hove Albion. The 25-year-old scored his first goal in 57 matches and was brilliant overall.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the cup tie, the midfielder-by-trade admitted he would play in any position required and do his absolute best.
“Yeah, I’m a centre-midfielder, and I want to score goals, and I want to assist, and I want to help the team. But if the manager needs me in the team and needs me to go and play as a centre-half, a full-back, a striker, I’ll go and do it, and I’ll try my best.”
