Liverpool’s injury crisis has descended into "nightmare" territory. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during the Champions League clash against QarabaÄź, summer signing Jeremie Frimpong was forced off the pitch just three minutes after kickoff.
The Dutchman, who has struggled with recurring fitness issues since his £30m move from Bayer Leverkusen, appeared to pull up while tracking back during an early counter-attack. The sight of Frimpong clutching his hamstring/groin area has left the Anfield faithful fearing the worst for a backline already stretched to its breaking point.
The Details: A Recurring Nightmare
This marks the third major injury setback for Frimpong this season. After suffering hamstring strains in August (vs. Bournemouth) and October (vs. Frankfurt), the right-back had only recently fought his way back into Arne Slot’s starting XI.
The Incident: Just 120 seconds in, Frimpong signaled to the bench and sat on the turf. Despite receiving immediate attention from the physios, he was unable to continue.
The Replacement: Arne Slot was forced into an early tactical reshuffle, bringing on Wataru Endo in the 4th minute. With Joe Gomez and Ibrahima KonatĂ© also sidelined, Liverpool’s defense is currently operating on "emergency" status.
The "Gravenberch" Factor: To cover the defensive gaps, Slot was already forced to start Ryan Gravenberch at center-back tonight—a move that now looks even more perilous with Frimpong out of the picture.
James Pearce (The Athletic): "Frimpong pulls up hurt. Looks like hamstring. Absolute disaster for Slot, who is already playing midfielders in the back four. The luck just isn't with them right now."
The Verdict: While the severity is yet to be confirmed, a hamstring recurrence typically points to another 4–6 weeks on the sidelines. For Arne Slot, the January transfer window (closing in 4 days) has suddenly become a race against time to find defensive cover.