Liverpool full back Jeremie Frimpong has been omitted from the Netherlands’ World Cup squad in a shock blow.
The 25-year-old joined the Reds almost exactly a year ago from Bayer Leverkusen but has struggled for fitness in his first year with a number of muscular injuries.
He made 35 appearances in total but the campaign was pockmarked by niggles and hamstring problems that meant Liverpool needed to go careful with him.
And now he has been left out of the Holland squad to play in the World Cup, with Jurrien Timber and Denzel Dumfries, a player who has been considered by Liverpool in the past, given the nod ahead of him.
Crysencio Summerville, who is yet to make his international debut and was relegated with West Ham on Sunday, has made the cut, while several other Premier League stars are in.
Three Liverpool players were selected by manager Ronald Koeman in Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
Former Manchester United man Memphis Depay, who now plays for Corinthians in Brazil, is selected while former Aston Villa man Donyell Malen gets a call-up after a breathtaking second half of the campaign with 14 goals and two assists in 18 games for Roma.
Injuries limited Jeremie Frimpong to just 35 appearances for Liverpool this season
The Dutchman has now paid the ultimate price for his fitness struggles and will not be part of Ronald Koeman’s travelling party
Sunderland have two players in the Dutch team in striker Brian Brobbey and goalkeeper Robin Roefs, while Brighton also have three selected with Bart Verbruggen, Jan Paul van Hecke and Mats Wieffer.
Timber gets the nod alongside his brother Quinten, who plays for Marseille, while other notable names are Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Tijani Reijnders (Manchester City), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) and Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona).
Frimpong’s omission is the biggest shock and likely comes down to fitness, though he has also struggled for form at Anfield as Dutchman Arne Slot often preferred midfielders ahead of him at right back.
Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida, the right back on loan from RB Leipzig who Liverpool tried to sign in January, is one of two standby players alongside Villa left back Ian Maatsen.
