Liverpool Injuries Highlight Frimpong's Impact As A Case Study Of Summer Signings

Liverpool moved back into Premier League contention with a 2-1 victory over Wolves, highlighted by Jeremie Frimpong’s first league start since October. Frimpong set up Ryan Gravenberch’s opener, while Florian Wirtz scored the other goal, and Liverpool boss Arne Slot used the performance to defend the impact of the club’s summer signings.

The result extended Liverpool’s league revival, with Slot’s side now winning three consecutive Premier League matches. Those nine points surpassed the eight collected across the previous 10 league fixtures, a period that included two wins, two draws and six defeats, underlining how recent form has shifted their campaign.

Slot argued that injuries to several pre-season arrivals created a false picture of Liverpool’s

summer recruitment. Alexander Isak has seen "the best of Alex [Isak]" limited by another injury setback, Giovanni Leoni’s season stalled after one appearance, and Wirtz has also faced disruption earlier in the campaign.

Frimpong’s influence against Wolves followed another key contribution against Tottenham, where the wing-back played a major part in Hugo Ekitike’s goal. The match at Molineux marked Frimpong’s first start since sustaining an injury against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, and Slot suggested this long absence affected outside views on Liverpool’s transfer business.

The change in Liverpool’s points return can be seen clearly against their earlier Premier League run.

Frimpong’s assist for Gravenberch was also highlighted by Liverpool’s official channels, with the celebration drawing attention from supporters.

Frimpong Gravenberch A well-taken opener and special celebration pic.twitter.com/Kf3uVAc9GXLiverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2025

Slot then expanded on how those absences shaped the broader discussion about spending and sales across the last window, stressing that the squad turnover was more complex than headline figures suggested.

"I think a lot has been said by so many peopleprobably you guys and me included as wellabout the amount of money we've spent last summer, Slotsaid. No one talks about what we recouped, because we sold so many. Then, from the players we bought, we unfortunately couldn't have seen the best of Alex [Isak]. Giovanni Leoni has been injured after his first game, and Jeremie Frimpong has hardly been available as well. It's then nice that we've spent so much and nobody is talking about what we've sold. But we were not always able to use the players we've brought in. Jeremie is a great example: now if he is fit, he can definitely help us because, last week, he had the assist against Tottenham.He had a great assist against Wolves. But unfortunately, not all the money we've spent we have used, and that has to do with the injuries of these players. "

The fixture also carried a strong emotional layer for both clubs, as Liverpool and Wolves supporters paid tribute before and during the game to former forward Diogo Jota. Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and died in a car accident in July, alongside brother Andre Silva.

Two of Jota’s children, Dinis and Duarte, walked out as mascots with family members before kick-off, linking both clubs on a personal level.

Two of Diogo Jotas children - Dinis and Duarte - as well as family members, are mascots ahead of the match between their fathers English clubs pic.twitter.com/fVjEegl5OgLiverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2025

Slot admitted the occasion was emotionally demanding yet also offered a sense of unity between fanbases and within the wider game. The Liverpool boss said the conduct of supporters reflected how English football reacts during moments of loss.

"Difficult, but in a way, also special and nice, he added.I think, again, the football world showed again how to behave in moments like this. Our fans have been incredible since the tragedy happened. Every single moment, they've done what you would hope they would do in memory of him. But, again, the away fans showed that it's not only about our fans, it's also about the fans of other teams. You guys knowandI know this for one-and-a-half years nowhow special English fans are. I think we've shown to the outside world, to the whole world, that it's not only the players who make this league special, but it's definitely also the fans. "

The match therefore delivered Liverpool a valuable Premier League victory, showcased the returning influence of Frimpong and Wirtz, and underlined Slot’s belief that injuries shaped early judgements on summer transfers. It also became a shared tribute to Jota, with the behaviour of both sets of fans drawing praise from the Liverpool manager.