Jeremie Frimpong Left Out Of Netherlands Squad For Serbia Clash

Jeremie Frimpong has been left out of the Netherlands’ 23-man squad for the Nations League match against Serbia, with the official squad list submitted by the Dutch FA to UEFA confirming another setback for the Liverpool full-back.

The fixture is listed as Serbia against the Netherlands in round 2 of the UEFA Nations League 2026, with OneFootball saying it is scheduled for this Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 16:00 UK time, at an unknown location.

GOAL’s report separately describes the Elftal’s match against Serbia as being on Sunday evening at 6pm.

The two sides come into the game with contrasting form lines, while the Netherlands also arrive with a major individual selection call after new Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez omitted Frimpong from the matchday group.

Frimpong misses out completely after Germany benching

Frimpong had been part of the Netherlands squad before the Serbia match, but he remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Germany last Thursday.

Against Serbia, the right-back has gone a step further down the pecking order by missing out on the 23-man squad altogether.

For Frimpong, the omission is described as the latest low point in a sporting crisis that has dragged on for around a year.

The 25-year-old full-back had previously been one of the standout figures at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, where he won the league and DFB Cup double in 2023/24.

After winning the German championship and the DFB Cup with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2024, he moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2025.

Liverpool secured the lightning-quick right-back from the Bundesliga club for €40 million.

The move initially appeared to place Frimpong in position to claim the right-back role in a back four under former Reds manager Arne Slot, who had brought him to Anfield as his preferred signing.

That plan was disrupted early by persistent thigh problems.

Frimpong missed 10 of the first 16 Premier League matchdays through injury.

By the turn of the year, he had managed only 11 appearances, one goal and one assist in 27 possible competitive matches.

Liverpool struggles changed the picture

When Frimpong finally became available more regularly in the new year after recovering from injury, he still rarely impressed.

GOAL’s report says he repeatedly showed glaring weaknesses in his defending and positional play in Slot’s defensive back four.

That was a significant shift from his Leverkusen role, where he had operated as a right wing-back in a back three.

The report also says he lacked the hoped-for cutting edge going forward.

By the end of the season, his record stood at a meagre two goals and two assists in 35 appearances.

Former Reds professional Don Hutchison had criticised Frimpong in October, immediately before the player was sidelined for a longer spell with thigh problems.

Hutchison said: “I've watched every Liverpool game I could this season so far. And in some of them, like the one against Southampton (2-1 in the EFL Cup at the end of September, editor's note), he just kept giving the ball away.”

He added: “Simple passes were going anywhere and his confidence is slipping away more and more.”

Even then, Hutchison urged Liverpool coach Slot to leave out the Dutchman and look for alternatives instead.

Hutchison said: “I would start (Conor) Bradley, definitely. Frimpong isn't even close to the starting XI with his current performances.”

Frimpong later paid the price for his poor Liverpool season when he missed out on a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad last summer.

Former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman instead trusted Jurrien Timber of Arsenal and Denzel Dumfries of Real Madrid for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Araujo preferred at Liverpool under Iraola

Frimpong’s club situation has also not really run smoothly under new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.

Iraola initially used him as the first-choice right-back at the start of the season.

New signing Ronald Araujo, actually a natural centre-back, is now preferred in that position.

The bare numbers cited in GOAL’s report support Iraola’s choice.

Liverpool conceded six goals in four games with Frimpong in the starting XI.

They have not conceded a single goal in three matches with Araujo starting.

Former England international Danny Murphy also recently criticised the situation.

Speaking to talkSport, Murphy said “the full-backs” were “not good enough” for Liverpool’s standards, with the comment referring not only to Frimpong but also to Milos Kerkez on the left.

Murphy added: “They aren't getting any better either, they just don't have it in them.”

He also said: “They work hard, but the level of their crossing and their decision-making in the final third is poor.”

Serbia enter with defensive concerns

Serbia’s UEFA Nations League campaign started poorly with a home loss, according to OneFootball’s preview.

That result continued what the preview described as a concerning trend of inconsistency.

Recent friendly defeats, including 5-1 against Mexico and 3-0 against Spain, were cited as evidence of significant defensive weaknesses for Serbia.

Serbia’s World Cup qualification record was described as mixed.

Wins against Latvia and Andorra contrasted with heavy losses to England, notably a 5-0 home defeat.

OneFootball’s analysis says that pattern suggests Serbia can dominate weaker sides but struggles when facing Europe’s elite.

Despite having a full, injury-free squad, Serbia’s defensive frailties are described as a major concern for the upcoming Serbia vs Netherlands game.

The preview says Serbia’s habit of conceding frequently against strong attacking sides implies they need a much-improved performance to secure a result.

OneFootball’s expected Serbia line-up is V. Milinković-Savić; S. Pavlović, Strahinja Eraković, N. Maksimović; Andrija Živković, F. Kostić, S. Milinković-Savić, N. Simić, M. Cvetković; D. Tadić, L. Jović.

Netherlands arrive in stronger form

The Netherlands enter the match in strong form, according to OneFootball’s preview.

The preview says they have demonstrated impressive consistency over the last year.

The Dutch were unbeaten in the 2026 World Cup group stage, securing convincing wins against Sweden and Tunisia.

Their World Cup campaign concluded after a tough draw with Morocco in the round of 32.

OneFootball says that resilience is evident across their last 21 matches in all competitions.

Across that run, the Dutch have lost only two games, winning 11 and drawing eight.

That record is cited as evidence of how difficult they have been to beat.

The strong run includes solid performances in friendly internationals and World Cup qualification.

For this UEFA Nations League fixture, the Netherlands are said to have a fully fit squad with no reported injuries.

The preview says the Netherlands have one point from their opening fixture and can deploy their strongest team.

Their solid defence and proven goalscoring ability mean they are expected to control the game and pose a significant threat to Serbia, according to OneFootball.

OneFootball’s expected Netherlands line-up is Bart Verbruggen; Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven; Quinten Timber, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders; Crysencio Summerville, Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo.

First meeting adds uncertainty

OneFootball’s preview says the UEFA Nations League match marks a fresh chapter in European international football because there is no previous head-to-head record between Serbia and the Netherlands.

The preview states that the two nations have never faced each other in a competitive or friendly match.

That lack of history is described as adding unpredictability to the encounter.

Without past meetings to analyse, the preview says both teams and bettors face uncharted territory.

It also says there are no historical grudges or patterns to influence the game.

The clash is described as a blank canvas that gives both sides the chance to set the tone for a new rivalry.

OneFootball says the outcome of this first-ever game will establish the initial benchmark and begin building the future Serbia vs Netherlands stats.

That context makes the match-up more compelling, according to the preview.

Prediction favours the Dutch

OneFootball says the Netherlands arrive with impressive momentum, in sharp contrast to Serbia’s recent struggles and defensive vulnerabilities.

The preview suggests this could produce a game in which the Dutch dominate.

It presents a combined bet on the “Netherlands to win or draw and over 2.5 goals” as an appealing option.

Given the Netherlands’ consistent attacking threat, the preview says the Dutch are likely to assert control from the outset against a Serbian side low on confidence.

OneFootball says it anticipates that the Netherlands will look to press their advantage early, potentially leading the match at half-time.

Considering what it calls a clear disparity in recent performances and defensive stability, OneFootball describes the Netherlands as the strong favourites.

Its main prediction is for the Netherlands to secure the victory in this UEFA Nations League encounter.

The preview notes that the odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing and are subject to change.

It also advises checking the bookmaker’s site for up-to-date information.

Why Frimpong’s omission matters

Frimpong’s absence is significant because it comes at a time when the Netherlands are expected to field their strongest available team for the Serbia match.

The omission also follows a sequence in which Frimpong was unused against Germany and then left out of the 23-man group for Serbia.

At international level, the setback extends a difficult period that had already included missing out on the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.

At club level, it mirrors a period in which injuries, defensive concerns and competition from Araujo have all affected his standing at Liverpool.

For the Netherlands, the Serbia fixture is framed by a stronger collective outlook, with the team having lost only two of its last 21 matches in all competitions.

For Serbia, the match is framed by defensive concern, recent heavy defeats and the need for a much-improved performance against a strong attacking side.

That contrast is central to the match preview’s view that the Netherlands are favourites to win the Nations League encounter.