Jeremie Frimpong returns to Liverpool training but Florian Wirtz absent

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has returned to full training after a month on the sidelines to ease Arne Slot’s defensive selection crisis.

The 25-year-old rejoined the squad on Thursday after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League victory over Qarabag.

Frimpong had missed the previous five matches, having limped off just four minutes into the European tie last month.

Defensive boost for Slot

The Netherlands international is now in contention to feature in Saturday’s Premier League meeting with West Ham at Anfield.

His return provides a timely lift for the Reds, as Frimpong has already endured two other lengthy lay-offs with similar muscular problems this campaign.

In his absence, midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo were forced to cover at right-back, while Joe Gomez was restricted to a place on the bench due to a knee issue.

Wirtz remains doubtful

While defensive options have improved, playmaker Florian Wirtz was not seen in the latest training photographs released by the club.

The German midfielder was forced to withdraw from the warm-up at Nottingham Forest last weekend after aggravating a back injury.

Speaking after that victory, Slot played down fears regarding the long-term severity of the issue.

“We don’t think it is very serious,” the Liverpool boss said.

“He wasn’t able to be 100% or even close to 100%.”

Slot added:

“I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months, he now understands no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100% at this level, so we decided not to play him.”