Andoni Iraola played down the concern around Jeremie Frimpong after Liverpool lost 4-2 to Leeds at Soldier Field in Chicago. Frimpong started the friendly, set up Florian Wirtz in the first half, then came off with around ten minutes left. The update afterwards was simple enough: Liverpool do not think they have lost another player.

Frimpong's substitution and Iraola's update

"Jeremie [Frimpong] asked for the sub [but] I don't think it's an injury. It was just some overload and I hope he's not injured in that way. I don't think we've lost anyone," Iraola told standard.co.uk.

That is the most important line in the whole story. Liverpool's injury list already includes Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, so a fresh setback would have added to a crowded list. Instead, Frimpong's exit reads like workload management after a summer in which Liverpool have already been juggling minutes.

Liverpool had gone unbeaten in three pre-season friendlies before the defeat to Leeds, which was their first reverse of the summer. The result itself matters less than the immediate medical read on Frimpong, especially with Monaco next on the schedule at Anfield.

More players close to returning

The broader picture is healthier than it looked during the game in Chicago. Iraola said a new signing will come back next week, while Alisson will be there from the first day when Liverpool arrive to train in Liverpool.

There is also the returning group from the summer break. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch made their first appearances of the summer after an extended post-World Cup holiday, and that should give Liverpool a more familiar look in the next friendly. The club will want those minutes spread sensibly, but the direction is clear enough: the squad is starting to thicken again.

For now, the headline is the same one Iraola wanted to land after the Leeds loss. Frimpong's substitution looked precautionary, not like a fresh injury, and Liverpool are still expecting more players back before Monaco.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →