Arne Slot will be hoping that Liverpool handpick the rightful successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s throne once his move to Real Madrid is finalised.
Alexander-Arnold is irreplaceable for Liverpool as simply put, there may not be a more unique full-back than him in world football.
The Liverpool defender’s creativity, eye for a pass and knack for winning games for his boyhood club singlehandedly have made him a key cog in both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot’s systems.
However, as Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to don a Real Madrid shirt sooner rather than later, the Reds have been laying the groundwork to sign his replacement.
Jeremie Frimpong is a name who is on the Merseyside-based club’s shortlist as he has made a name for himself as one of Europe’s best attacking full-backs at Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool should not sign Jeremie Frimpong as Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement
Arne Slot has told Liverpool to sign Frimpong and start doing all the work that is needed to bring him in as the Dutchman was aware that Alexander-Arnold was set to join Real Madrid eventually.
But the truth is that while Jeremie Frimpong is a top player, he is not cut out to become Alexander-Arnold’s long-term replacement at Liverpool.
Firstly, the reason why the Bayer Leverkusen defender would not be the best-possible signing for the Reds is because he is a wing-back by trade, a position which is not a feature in Arne Slot’s system.
While one could argue that Frimpong could be deployed high up the pitch when Liverpool are in possession like he is at Leverkusen, he is simply too advanced to track back and return to his defensive position.
Virgil van Dijk claimed Frimpong is rapid and while there is no questioning that, Liverpool do not play three centre-backs off the ball like Leverkusen do to cover for how advanced he is.
Alexander-Arnold, on the other hand still manages to wreak havoc despite staying deeper due to being given the space to pick his teammates out due to being an outstanding creator.
In fairness to Frimpong, the 24-year-old is a threat in the final third as his his tally of 22 goals and 28 assists in 132 games for Bayer Leverkusen indicates — but most of his threat comes from being an outlet — and unlike in the Bundesliga, Premier League sides often tend to set up in low blocks.
In terms of the former Manchester City speedster’s role as well as his one-v-one defending as well and tendency not to get tough-tight on wingers are defensive deficiencies that also spark question marks about his suitability to Liverpool.
Jeremie Frimpong’s stance on Liverpool move
However, Arne Slot loves Frimpong and is even hoping to have a face-to-face meeting with him in the coming weeks.
Slot is a masterful tactician and based on how well he has fared in his debut season at Anfield, it would take a brave man to doubt his eye for talent.
Frimpong is ready to join Liverpool, according to reputed journalist David Ornstein: “If they went for something different, something more multi-faceted, there are players potentially on the market like a Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.”
“He has a €35 million (£30 million) release clause, something in the region of that, as I understand it.”
“I also believe that he would be keen on a move to Liverpool, if they decide to go down that route. They will have other options as well but Frimpong has been mentioned in a number of reports so far.”
