Liverpool are expected to be without Jeremie Frimpong until after the November international break after the defender suffered a fresh muscle injury against Brentford.
Frimpong was introduced at half-time during Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, but lasted only a few minutes before reporting the problem.
Andoni Iraola confirmed the setback ahead of the Champions League meeting with Villarreal, warning that the Dutch international faces a difficult recovery over the coming weeks.
“Jeremie is obviously a new muscle injury and it happened, I think, in the second or third minute he was playing, difficult to predict and we will have to wait until he recovers,” Iraola said.
“But it’s going to be difficult, I think, before the [November international] break. We will try but it’s going to be difficult to have him.”
Frimpong injury leaves Liverpool short on the right
The expected four-week absence leaves Liverpool with fewer options at right-back during a demanding run of domestic and European fixtures.
Defender Araújo is among the players who could be asked to fill the position against Villarreal as Iraola adjusts his side following the latest injury blow.
Dominik Szoboszlai is also managing a muscle problem, although the Liverpool manager offered a more positive assessment of the midfielder’s condition.
“Dom is different. It’s not a new injury, I think it’s in the same place it was probably last week,” Iraola said. “He hasn’t worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully. But it’s not like something now where he has to wait a lot of time to come back.”
Szoboszlai’s issue is not expected to keep him out for an extended period, but the absences have complicated Liverpool’s preparations for their next fixture.
The Reds go into the Villarreal match after successive victories over LASK and Brentford, having recovered from a 3-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester City.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch could take on increased responsibility in midfield, while Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha are among the younger players competing for opportunities.
