Liverpool are now pressing ahead with their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
Arne Slot’s compatriot is being lined up as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement at Liverpool, who is set to join Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.
Liverpool have held talks with Frimpong and a deal is now looking increasingly likely to bring the Dutchman back to England.
Frimpong started out in Manchester City’s academy before moving to Celtic in 2019, a switch that ultimately led him to the Bundesliga.
Now, the title-winning full-back is being earmarked as the man to replace Alexander-Arnold’s rich creativity on the right — even if Frimpong’s strengths lie in his forward runs, rather than his 40-yard passes.
Jeremie Frimpong could stifle Conor Bradley’s chances
That being said, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have both reacted to the prospect of Frimpong joining Liverpool and what that might mean for Conor Bradley.
The pair were speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast and both concluded that Bradley does still have a bright future at Anfield — even if a new first-choice right-back comes in.
READ MORE: Liverpool have ‘major reservations’ about paying £84m for one of Arne Slot’s key targets
Reacting to news that Liverpool were closing in on Frimpong’s signature, Shearer said: “That doesn’t surprise me.
“But that doesn’t mean to say that Conor Bradley is not going to have a bright future because he is, I think. I think he’s impressed me — whether he’s ready to go in full time or not…I guess maybe not.
“But so that’s why they’ll get another one in. But you’re right — they have to get another one in anyway.”
Richards then shared his own thoughts, discussing the challenge Bradley faced in terms of transitioning from a substitute to a regular starter.
Praising Bradley, he said: “I actually think he’s very good guys. I think he’s good going forward, he’s intelligent with his runs, he can do the one on one defending as well.
“The only question mark would be can he do it on a consistent basis?
“You know, when he’s coming in for, or when he came in for Trent, the mindset of a sub is different to a starter, you know, coming in and filling the void for a little bit.
“I won’t say it’s easier to do, but it’s just a different mindset in the way you approach it, no mistakes, [be] aggressive.”
Arne Slot needs to sign a striker at Liverpool
Of course, Liverpool could have a somewhat similar situation with Diogo Jota should they recruit a new striker this summer.
By a lot of accounts, Darwin Nunez could leave Liverpool for a new challenge this summer, someone who has predominantly been used from the bench by Slot.
But Jota seems destined to stick around, and he will have to compete with someone who is perhaps slightly more in Slot’s image.
Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United ideally, but he is unlikely to be available.
Therefore, Liverpool could target Victor Osimhen, who is perhaps the best alternative on the market.
