£52m to £61m deal will solve Liverpool's right-back crisis once and for all

The international window concluded with the news that Liverpool have suffered yet ANOTHER injury at right-back.

Jeremie Frimpong, 25, played only 15 minutes of the Netherlands’ friendly draw against Ecuador on Tuesday before heading back to the dressing room with what looked like a muscle injury.

The former Bayer Leverkusen wing-back has suffered a severely injury-disrupted campaign at club level following on from his £29m arrival last summer.

Frimpong was expected to provide a more attacking alternative to Conor Bradley at right-back but this has been a frustrating, stop-start season for the former Celtic standout.

Bradley for his part is out fo the rest of the season owing to a serious knee injury suffered back in January.

The Northern Irishman has seen his early career progress checked by a series of injuries over the past couple of years since breaking into the first-team picture.

Despite a new contract signed last summer it remains to be seen whether Bradley can fufill his destiny and become the long-term successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool eye up deal for Kounde

Arne Slot has had difficulty in finding a solution at right-back this season - often turning to Dominik Szoboszlai. It’s led to speculation that sporting director Richard Hughes could opt for a right-back deal in the summer transfer window.

And one solution emerging on the radar according to a report in Mundo Deportivo via Football Espana is Jules Kounde of Barcelona.

The Frenchman, 27, has had an up and down season - suffering some injury trouble of his own of late - and could be made available by the Catalans for sale.

Kounde can also play centre-back

Under contract until 2030 Kounde is expected to fetch between €60m and €70m in the summer transfer window - with the Reds, Manchester United and Chelsea all reportedly keen.

Liverpool could also make use of Kounde’s talents as a centre-back - where they are set to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer.

There is uncertainty too over Joe Gomez - who is out of contract in 2027 and for whom the club may be willing to listen to bids in summer.

Kounde could therefore emerge as a first-choice defensive option at right-back with the capability of performing in the middle when required.

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