Frimpong’s Profile Matches Liverpool’s Transfer Model Ahead of Summer | OneFootball

Jeremie Frimpong: Liverpool’s Next Great Right-Back?

Liverpool are known for acting swiftly in the transfer market, often targeting players who blend tactical intelligence with value, athleticism and character. As reported by The Athletic, the Reds are now closely monitoring Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as they prepare for life after Trent Alexander-Arnold.

At 24, Frimpong is not just one of Europe’s most dynamic full-backs — he’s a symbol of the new wave of full-back play: high-octane, creative, yet increasingly tactically aware. With Alexander-Arnold seemingly bound for Real Madrid at the end of the campaign, and a rebuild already underway under Arne Slot, Liverpool’s interest in Frimpong is neither speculative nor surprising.

Frimpong Profile: Numbers, Versatility and Value

The stats make for compelling reading. Frimpong notched 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 games last season, helping Bayer Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso’s guidance.

That attacking output is remarkable for a player deployed primarily as a right-back or right wing-back. Since arriving from Celtic in January 2021, Frimpong has flourished — especially under Alonso — who handed him a hybrid role that accentuated his blistering pace, positional timing and increasingly sharp end product.

Frimpong extended his deal with Leverkusen to 2028, but crucially, a €35 million (£29.6m/$39.3m) release clause makes this an affordable move for a club as financially astute as Liverpool.

“The relatively low value of that release clause, and the fact it can be executed cleanly, appeals to Liverpool.”

It mirrors the deal Liverpool struck last summer for Alexis Mac Allister — another key signing achieved through intelligent scouting and contract awareness. With limited budget room, the Merseyside club are again poised to take advantage of market inefficiencies.

Tactical Fit in Arne Slot’s Liverpool

Stylistically, Frimpong is not a direct clone of Alexander-Arnold — and that may be a positive. Where Trent offers orchestration, launching attacks with diagonals and switches, Frimpong thrives off-the-ball. His game is built around verticality, acceleration and direct penetration.

He is “not a playmaker in the sense that Alexander-Arnold is,” the report from The Athletic notes. “He doesn’t rake passes across the pitch… [but] so often finds himself in the right place at the right time.”

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s system, which increasingly relies on energy, pressing and wide overloads, could make Frimpong a devastating weapon. With Salah cutting infield and a solid right-sided centre-back like Ibrahima Konaté covering space, Frimpong could stretch games in a way Liverpool haven’t quite managed since the peak days of Andy Robertson and Alexander-Arnold under Klopp.

There is also the Mo Salah factor. As The Athletic highlight: “It may allow Salah to move more central and closer to the goal if Frimpong is allowed to have an advanced starting position.”

And with Salah off to AFCON next season between 21 December and 18 January, Frimpong offers the versatility to fill in as an advanced wide option too.

Recruitment Logic: Homegrown, Familiar, and Popular

Beyond the tactical puzzle, Frimpong fits Liverpool’s transfer ethos almost too well. He qualifies as a homegrown player, having spent nine formative years at Manchester City — a vital detail given the Premier League’s squad regulations.

“Frimpong’s status as a ‘homegrown’ player under UEFA regulations… is also attractive.”

He even previously turned down Liverpool’s academy due to family logistics. Now, years later, he may be about to return — not as a prospect, but as a Champions League-tested title-winner.

His existing connections to Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch from the Dutch national setup also help. In one training camp, he jokingly greeted Gravenberch with a Scouse accent — a small, human touch, but one that speaks volumes about personality and cultural fit.

“Frimpong would be keen on a move to Anfield and personal terms are not an obstacle.”

Liverpool’s hierarchy continue to value character highly. From Mac Allister to Dominik Szoboszlai, the club have consistently prioritised players with high football IQ and social adaptability.

Defensive Evolution and Squad Dynamics

Critics used to question Frimpong’s defensive reliability. But much has changed under Alonso. His work rate, recovery pace and defensive positioning have improved significantly. The Athletic state:

“His tackling and defending have grown more measured… a great deal of study and work — including extra individual sessions — has gone into improving that side of his game.”

Leverkusen’s system exposed him to vast defensive responsibilities. Covering the length of the pitch as a wing-back has matured his understanding of space and discipline — skills that would be essential in the Premier League.

Liverpool are also assessing squad composition. With Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah capable of covering full-back roles, and Conor Bradley a real candidate to start, Frimpong wouldn’t arrive with a guaranteed shirt. He’d have to earn it.

“Conor Bradley is in contention to be a starter next season.”

Yet Frimpong’s unique profile — explosive yet experienced, offensive but increasingly robust — makes him an excellent wildcard in the Slot era.

Squad Strategy and Summer Outlook

While Frimpong is firmly on the radar, it’s worth noting Liverpool’s current priority lies at left-back. Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are both vulnerable to being rotated or moved on, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez seen as a leading contender.

“Securing a new left-back is currently a higher priority than buying a right-back.”

This points to a broader reshaping of Liverpool’s defence. At centre-back, interest in Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen signals further reinforcements — and perhaps a summer of calculated, surgical squad improvement.

With only one non-homegrown spot free in the squad, Frimpong’s homegrown status again becomes crucial. The impending exits of Caoimhin Kelleher and Tyler Morton free up places, but Liverpool will still need to manage their registration carefully. Darwin Núñez’s situation could also be key.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

If this report from The Athletic holds weight — and it usually does — then Liverpool fans should be more than excited. Jeremie Frimpong isn’t just a Plan B to replace Trent — he’s a tactical evolution.

The idea of a homegrown, Champions League-tested full-back with 30 goals and 35 assists in his last three seasons joining Liverpool for under £30 million feels too good to be true. But this is modern Liverpool: smart, surgical and ruthless in their planning.

Yes, he doesn’t offer the same quarterback-style control that Trent brings, but do we really need a like-for-like replacement? Under Slot, the Reds are already playing with more pace, more verticality. Frimpong is made for that.

There may be teething issues — especially in accommodating him with Salah — but imagine a system where Salah shifts centrally and Frimpong bursts down the wing. It’s mouthwatering.

And if Salah’s future becomes uncertain post-AFCON or beyond, Frimpong gives you short- and long-term solutions in two roles. The fact he’s mates with Gravenberch, Van Dijk and Gakpo? Just makes sense.

It’s rare that Liverpool get linked with a player who seems to fit every need: positional, tactical, squad quota and personality. Jeremie Frimpong might just be the most Liverpool signing Liverpool could make this summer.