Denzel Dumfries linked with Liverpool move after Jeremie Frimpong injury blow

Liverpool’s search for right-sided cover has sharpened after jeremie frimpong suffered another setback, pushing denzel dumfries into the late-window conversation as a possible solution. With the Premier League’s winter window set to close on Monday, Feb. 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET, the next 72 hours look decisive for clubs juggling injuries, squad balance, and the risk of paying a premium in a compressed market.

The immediate catalyst is the frimpong injury, suffered within minutes of Liverpool’s midweek Champions League win over Qarabag, and now expected to keep him out for several weeks. The knock leaves Liverpool thin at right-back at a moment when fixtures are piling up and the margin for error in both domestic and European competitions is tightening.

Frimpong injury forces urgent short-term planning

Arne Slot confirmed Friday that Frimpong will be sidelined for “a few weeks,” without pinning down an exact return date. The Dutch defender had only just begun to settle into a rhythm after earlier physical issues, making the latest absence especially disruptive for Liverpool’s rotation.

With Conor Bradley already out long-term, Liverpool’s options narrow quickly: reshuffling a midfielder into the back line, leaning on a centre-back to cover wide areas, or turning to the market. None is ideal. Playing out of position can dull Liverpool’s build-up on the right side and expose the team in transitions, while waiting it out risks overloading the few defenders available.

A quick status snapshot captures why Liverpool’s decision is suddenly time-sensitive:

Denzel Dumfries enters the deadline-day mix

Denzel Dumfries has been discussed as a potential target after Italian transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio said Liverpool made contact with Inter to ask for information on the Dutch wing-back. That inquiry, even if preliminary, signals Liverpool are at least exploring a “gettable” profile: experienced, physically suited to the Premier League, and comfortable playing as an attacking right wing-back.

This is still at the feeler stage publicly. No club has confirmed negotiations, and Inter’s willingness to entertain a move can hinge on timing, replacement options, and Dumfries’ medical status. But in a late-window market driven by availability, an enquiry can become momentum fast—especially when a team is short in a specialist position.

Inter’s stance and the Dumfries fitness question

Inter’s side of the equation is complicated by Dumfries’ own fitness. He has been working his way back from an ankle injury, and Italian coverage has framed his rehabilitation as progressing, with a goal of returning around Inter’s looming European schedule.

That makes any deal structurally harder. Liverpool would need clarity on readiness—whether Dumfries can contribute immediately or would arrive as a February option. Inter, meanwhile, would need to judge whether they can afford to lose a senior right-sided outlet while still chasing domestic and Champions League targets.

Even if the player is viewed as a longer-term fix, Liverpool’s current problem is immediate: minutes at right-back in the coming weeks, not just in March.

Dumfries vs Frimpong: similar lane, different emphasis

On paper, dumfries and frimpong occupy the same modern role—right-sided defenders whose value is amplified by pace, stamina, and end-product in the final third. But their strengths show up differently.

Frimpong is more explosive over short distances and thrives in high-tempo patterns that pull full-backs into winger zones. Dumfries, by contrast, tends to play with more direct power: arriving late at the back post, attacking crosses, and using strength to win space in duels. In systems that use wing-backs, Dumfries can look like an extra forward in the box.

For Liverpool, the tactical question isn’t just “who’s better.” It’s “who’s available, healthy, and adaptable fast enough to cover a crisis without forcing the entire shape to change.”

What happens next before the window shuts

Liverpool’s immediate decision tree is narrow:

• Ride out the next few matches with internal cover and hope the Frimpong injury proves closer to the short end of “a few weeks,” or

• Add a right-sided player who can take minutes quickly, even if that means accepting deadline-day pricing and complexity.

With the deadline on Feb. 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET, any move for a player like Dumfries would likely accelerate over the weekend—medical checks, documentation, and a clear plan for registration. If nothing materializes, Liverpool may instead prioritize a temporary fix and revisit the right-back market with more leverage in the summer.

Either way, the Frimpong issue has shifted the conversation from preference to necessity, and the final days of the window now hinge on how bold Liverpool want to be—and how ready Inter are to engage.

Sources consulted: Reuters; The Associated Press; Sky Sport Italia; Premier League (official); Liverpool FC (official); Gianluca Di Marzio