Liverpool ready to admit £30m mistake after just 12 months

Liverpool made some major deals last summer. It seems they've realised one of them wasn't the right move.

Jeremie Frimpong has had a difficult first season at Liverpool. Not only has the entire squad underperformed but injuries kept the Dutchman from maintaining any real momentum.

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But it's also been one where Frimpong hasn't locked down a position. He was signed as a clear alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, even if he'd actually been a wing back for Bayer Leverkusen.

The idea was that Frimpong could be the no.2 option at right-back behind Conor Bradley and the no.2 option on the wing behind Mohamed Salah. However, things haven't worked out that way.

Bradley has been out since the start of the year but Arne Slot made no secret of his preference for an out-of-position Curtis Jones to play right-back. Even with Frimpong available and on the bench.

It means the player featured in just 21 Premier League matches. He started a mere 12, even with injuries to Bradley and Salah disappearing to AFCON. His lack of minutes has had a dramatic effect, too, as Frimpong was left out of the Dutch World Cup squad.

So it's not exactly a shock to read from the Daily Mail that Liverpool want a new right-back. They simply don't view Frimpong as a serious option there, instead believing he's a wing-back or an alternative winger.

But that does feel like a truly ridiculous situation. Just one year after spending £30m on a new right-back to replace Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool are back in the market for another one.

What that means for Frimpong's future, though, is entirely unclear.

Jeremie Frimpong: Situation Summary

Liverpool Campaign and Stats

As of 27 May 2026, Jeremie Frimpong is concluding a difficult debut season at Anfield following his £29.5 million summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen. The 25-year-old Dutch right-back struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form under Arne Slot, losing his starting spot late in the campaign. He managed 35 appearances across all competitions, contributing just two goals and one assist. He made an 18-minute cameo off the bench in Sunday's season-ending 1–1 draw against Brentford.

Shock World Cup Omission

In a massive blow to the defender, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman officially omitted Frimpong from his final 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Koeman preferred Jurriën Timber and Denzel Dumfries as his primary right-back options, leaving Frimpong to watch the tournament from home.

Transfer Speculation

Following his underwhelming impact and tactical fit issues in Slot's system, rumours are already circulating that Liverpool could sanction a shock summer sale to balance the squad.