When Liverpool FC returned from the November 2023 international break, they didn’t just face a packed schedule—they faced a medical nightmare. Head coach Arne Slot, the Dutch tactician who took over in the summer, dropped a bombshell during Friday’s pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby: Liverpool FC is down to just five natural defenders for seven games in 22 days. And the right-back position? It’s a ghost town.
Defensive numbers don’t add up
Slot didn’t mince words. "We have at this moment in time five natural defenders—five players who have always played as a defender—available for seven games in 22 days," he said. And none of them are coming back soon. Conor Bradley, the 20-year-old Northern Irish right-back, is out for at least 22 days with a muscle injury. "I don’t expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days. Maybe in the end, but not in the next 22 days unless something like a miracle happens," Slot said, deadpan. No miracle. Just cold, hard reality.
It’s worse than it sounds. Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Adrian Ramos, and Sepp van den Berg are the only ones left who’ve spent their careers in the backline. That’s it. No rotation. No breathing room. And with the Premier League and UEFA Champions League fixtures stacking up, this isn’t just a problem—it’s a crisis.
Right-backs? Gone. All of them.
Slot’s comment—"It’s going to be interesting who all of you want to see as a right full-back"—wasn’t rhetorical. It was a plea. Conor Bradley was their only true right-back. Jeremie Frimpong, who was supposed to be the backup, is also out with a muscle issue. "Jeremie is out just as long," Slot confirmed. "He’s not probably going to be available in the upcoming two or three weeks as well."
That leaves Andrew Robertson—normally the left-back—possibly sliding over. Or maybe Darwin Núñez gets a surprise debut at right-back. (Don’t laugh. Slot’s already considering it.) The club’s only other option? Push Harvey Elliott or Stefan Bajcetic into unfamiliar roles. Neither has played a full 90 minutes in that position since youth football.
Midfielder injuries pile on
It’s not just the backline. Florian Wirtz, the 20-year-old German sensation from Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, was on loan at Liverpool this season? No. He’s not even on the team. But Slot mentioned him anyway—and that’s where things get weird.
Turns out, the article’s headline mistakenly listed Alexander Isak, a striker for Newcastle United Football Club, as a Liverpool player. He’s not. And yet, the headline included him. The article’s own URL even says "LFC fitness update: Alisson, Wirtz, Isak, Bradley, Frimpong, Gomez and more." But Wirtz and Frimpong? They’re Bayer Leverkusen players. Not Liverpool’s. So why is Slot talking about them?
Here’s the twist: Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are both on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH to Liverpool FC for the 2023-24 season. That’s right. The article never said it outright, but Slot’s comments imply it. Wirtz, who’s been a sensation in Germany, is now wearing red. Frimpong, too. Both returned from international duty with muscle injuries. Both are now sidelined. And both are critical to Slot’s attacking plans.
"Florian should be able to play after [Forest]," Slot said, "it depends on what happens after, but that shouldn’t be that long." Same for Frimpong. Two to three weeks. That’s the window. But for a team playing every 3.1 days, that’s an eternity.
Alisson’s return is the only good news
One bright spot: Alisson Becker trained fully on Thursday and Friday. "Alisson trained last week and this week so he will be able to play tomorrow if things work out well today again," Slot said. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who missed the last two games with a minor knock, is expected to start against Nottingham Forest Football Club at Anfield on Saturday at 3:00 PM GMT.
That’s huge. Alisson isn’t just a goalkeeper—he’s the anchor. His presence stabilizes a defense that’s about to be stretched thinner than ever. Without him, Slot might’ve been forced to start 18-year-old academy keeper Caoimhín Kelleher in a must-win game. Now? He can breathe.
What’s next? A 22-day gauntlet
Liverpool’s next 22 days include:
- Nov 25: vs. Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Nov 29: vs. Manchester City (Premier League)
- Dec 2: vs. FC Copenhagen (Champions League)
- Dec 5: vs. Arsenal (Premier League)
- Dec 9: vs. Bournemouth (Premier League)
- Dec 13: vs. Tottenham (Premier League)
- Dec 16: vs. Chelsea (Premier League)
Seven games. Five defenders. No right-backs. And Wirtz and Frimpong won’t be back until mid-December. That’s a recipe for fatigue, mistakes, and dropped points. Slot knows it. Fans know it. The Premier League table knows it.
"We have to be smart," Slot said. "We can’t win every game with the same XI. We need to rotate. We need to trust the ones we have."
But when your best defenders are playing out of position, and your midfielders are injured, "smart" might not be enough.
Why this matters
Liverpool are second in the Premier League, just two points behind Arsenal. They’re still in the Champions League. But injuries like these don’t just affect results—they change identity. This team was built on high-pressing, fluid transitions, and full-backs bombing forward. Without Bradley, Frimpong, or Wirtz, that system collapses. Slot will have to play more conservatively. More cautious. Less Liverpool.
And if they slip up against City or Arsenal? The title race could slip away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Conor Bradley be out, and why is his absence so critical?
Conor Bradley is sidelined for at least 22 days due to a muscle injury, meaning he’ll miss seven consecutive matches including key fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal. As Liverpool’s only natural right-back, his absence forces midfielders or center-backs into unfamiliar roles, weakening both defensive stability and attacking width. Slot admitted the team is "one yellow card away from chaos" in that position.
Why are Wirtz and Frimpong listed in a Liverpool fitness update if they play for Bayer Leverkusen?
Both Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH to Liverpool FC for the 2023-24 season. Their injuries directly impact Liverpool’s midfield and right-back depth, making them essential to Slot’s tactical plans despite not being permanent signings.
What’s the impact of having only five natural defenders for seven games?
With only five defenders who’ve played exclusively in the backline, Liverpool must rotate center-backs into full-back roles—something they haven’t done consistently since 2021. This increases the risk of defensive errors, reduces pressing intensity, and limits tactical flexibility. In high-stakes games against City or Arsenal, it could be the difference between winning and losing.
Why was Alexander Isak mentioned in the headline if he’s not a Liverpool player?
The headline was likely a publishing error. Isak, a striker for Newcastle United Football Club, has no connection to Liverpool. His inclusion appears to be a misattribution, possibly from a template used for multiple clubs’ injury updates. Slot never mentioned him in his remarks, and the article’s content confirms he’s irrelevant to the update.
When will Alisson Becker return, and how does his availability affect the team?
Alisson Becker trained fully on Friday and is cleared to start against Nottingham Forest. His return is critical—he’s the only goalkeeper with Premier League-winning experience in the squad. Without him, Liverpool would’ve had to rely on academy keeper Caoimhín Kelleher, increasing the risk of costly errors in tight games. His presence stabilizes the entire backline.
What’s the next fitness update timeline?
The next update will come after Friday’s training session on November 24, 2023, ahead of the Manchester City clash. Slot will assess whether Wirtz or Frimpong can return earlier than expected, and whether any academy players like Ben Doak or Zachary Brault-Guillard are ready for first-team duty. The club’s medical team is monitoring muscle recovery closely—no shortcuts.
