Liverpool’s preparations for their upcoming clash with Burnley on Sunday have been handed a significant lift with the news that Jeremie Frimpong has returned to full training. However, his comeback doesn’t just bring relief — it also presents head coach Arne Slot with some tough tactical decisions to make.
According to James Pearce of *The Athletic*, the Dutch full-back was back in training on Wednesday after being sidelined for the past two Premier League fixtures due to a hamstring injury. Frimpong, who cost Liverpool £30 million when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, picked up the knock during his debut against Bournemouth on the opening weekend. He remained on Merseyside during the international break to focus on his rehabilitation, and his determination has now paid off with a quicker-than-expected return.
Despite his absence, Liverpool have not been left exposed on the right side of defense. That’s largely thanks to the adaptability of Dominik Szoboszlai, who has stepped into the role of a makeshift right-back with impressive results. The Hungarian midfielder has thrived in this unusual position, even earning a spot in the Premier League Team of the Week for his standout performances. Alongside him, young defender Conor Bradley has also regained fitness, further bolstering Slot’s options in the defensive line.
This leaves the Liverpool boss with a welcome but tricky dilemma. With six matches to navigate in just 17 days across three different competitions, rotation and tactical balance will be critical. Having three strong candidates for the right-back position — Frimpong, Szoboszlai, and Bradley — provides depth, but also forces Slot to carefully consider how best to deploy each player without disrupting the team’s rhythm. Importantly, reports suggest that while Frimpong has been cleared to train, his return is likely to be managed cautiously, with a gradual reintroduction rather than an immediate starting role.
Liverpool’s boost is not limited to Frimpong’s recovery. New £125 million signing Alexander Isak also trained with the squad for the first time since his record-breaking move from Newcastle United. The Swedish striker, who featured briefly for his national team during the international window, is now starting to integrate with his Liverpool teammates, adding another exciting dimension to Slot’s attacking options.
In addition, Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa have returned to training after missing international duty, giving Slot further strength in depth as Liverpool enter a congested run of fixtures. With major financial commitments already made on marquee players such as Isak and Florian Wirtz, Slot’s ability to rotate, manage fitness, and keep the squad firing will be just as important as the signings themselves if Liverpool are to maintain momentum this season.