Is Jeremie Frimpong coming to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold... or Mo Salah?

Liverpool have been linked with several right-backs over the last few transfer windows. Fears over losing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer to Real Madrid are uppermost in club leaders’ minds.

As such precautions are being taken to ensure continuity at right-back.

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While Conor Bradley remains an outstanding prospect, the Northern Ireland international is prone to picking up injuries and Liverpool can’t afford to hand him Trent’s shirt without cover being sought.

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We’ve seen Lutsharel Geertruida and Wesley Franco linked recently but one name usually appears on the list above all others when it comes to Trent’s potential successor. That of course is Jeremie Frimpong.

Frimpong is NOT a right-back

The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star won the Bundesliga title last year, establishing himself as one of the most in-demand right-sided players in the world.

Under contract at B04 until 2028, it would take a sizeable bid to remove him from his current employers and it’s not only Liverpool but also Real Madrid who look keen.

But what if we are barking up the wrong tree?

Liverpool may well be interested in the Dutch international but what if he’s being lined up as an attacker and not a right-back?

"He plays almost as a right winger. My right-back should be able to defend well in the first place and I have my doubts about that,” was Ronald Koeman’s assessment when asked in 2023 why he hadn’t called up the former Celtic man for the Netherlands.

And it’s hard to argue.

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He’s played most of his matches under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen at wing-back, right-midfield or even right-wing.

Along with Alex Grimaldo on the opposite side, he is tasked with carrying the ball forward, getting in behind, crossing balls and scoring goals. He is very much NOT a right-back.

Although he played that position previously in a traditional back-four set-up, he is far more suited to playing wide of a midfield four or else to the side of a striker.

That much has been learned over the past couple of seasons as Alonso has set about transforming the fortunes of Leverkusen.

A quick comparison of his season heatmap to Trent’s will easily confirm that. He has MUCH more involvement in the final third and much less in his own half than Trent does.

Could Frimpong replace Salah?

Arne Slot has moved towards a model this season where he has reduced Liverpool’s reliance on their full-backs for creativity. Both Trent and Andy Robertson are down on their assist and goalscoring contributions compared to previous campaigns.

It’s unlikely he’s going to switch back any time soon and even more unlikely that he would trust Frimpong there, who is not the world’s most natural defender.

So why do Liverpool seemingly want him?

Well, Trent isn’t the only player on the Liverpool right flank soon to be out of contract. There is also the case of Mohamed Salah. He, too, is ready to walk at the end of the season and the Reds are going to have to consider alternatives.

There has been certainly a “type” linked with Liverpool; think Bryan Mbeumo and Dario Osorio. Those guys can cut inside from the right for a shot at goal off their left foot, much like Salah.

But maybe Slot could use Frimpong in a more traditional winger role if Salah goes, where he gets outside the opposition full-back for cut-backs, finishes from acute angles and crosses. He’s proven he can do it.

And even if Liverpool manage to hold onto Salah, there is a way that both can fit in the team until Salah leaves. We’ve described on these pages how Slot might utilise Salah as a Messi-like figure in the middle of his attack.

And should Frimpong appear at the club next season then it’s very much a possibility given the options at the head coach’s disposal. As Salah will be 33 next season, he might also benefit from a reliable deputy - such as Frimpong.

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That’s why calling Frimpong a potential Trent replacement may well be a red herring. He has the potential to help transform Salah’s game in the short term and help Liverpool move on from him in the years ahead.

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