Truth emerges over £29.5m Jeremie Frimpong deal
Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer. The homegrown right-back ran down his contract and ultimately joined Real Madrid for around £10m just before it expired.
The Reds had Conor Bradley in reserve as a plug-and-play solution to replace Trent. Bradley, 22, is another academy talent and showed in his deputising for the England international that he was capable of stepping up.
He even agreed a new, long-term contract with the club - ensuring continuity in the right-back slot.
But last summer Liverpool took even more action to cover Alexander-Arnold. Sporting director Richard Hughes activated what appeared to be a very clever purchase of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Frimpong signed as cover for TAA and Salah
The Dutch international, 24, had been a mainstay of Xabi Alonso’s highly successful side - contributing energy, goals and assists over the past few season.
Frimpong therefore was seen in some quarters as a natural successor to the attack-minded Alexander-Arnold. That was of course if he could get past Bradley in the pecking order.
He did so - starting the opening day win at Anfield over Bournemouth - but the truth over Frimpong has begun to emerge over the subsequent weeks.
Jeremie Frimpong is not a right-back
Dominik Szoboszlai had to fill in at Newcastle away when both Bradley and Frimpong were injured. And Frimpong hasn’t started a game in the position since Bournemouth at home two months ago.
So what is he?
Most naturally, he is a wing-back. He barely EVER played right-back for Leverkusen and even national team manager Ronald Koeman has his reservations over playing Frimpong there.
He is at his best in the wide position of a midfield four - covering the flank but mostly looking to get forward with his dribbling capabilities.
What is the plan for Frimpong?
The former Celtic star can even play further forward - as a deputy to Mo Salah who can look to go on the outside and reach the byline. But right now Liverpool are working out what was VERY obvious at the time.
Jeremie Frimpong is not a right-back.
So why were we led to believe he was brought in as an Alexander-Arnold successor? Did Liverpool not do their homework? Why does the look best when Szoboszlai plays right-back?
These are questions for Slot and Hughes to answer. Because right now it looks like they have paid around £30m for an inadequate back-up right back and a replacement winger.
Surely that wasn’t the plan?
🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range
👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world
👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star
Comments
No comments yet…
You must be logged in to post a comment.