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Posted (edited)

Good luck, Trent. I want to be mad but I get it. 20 years with one club. He gave us 3 championships. 

 

Edited by mdmost
  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted

Summer of 2023 was a disaster from the contract side. 
 

The Athletic:

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mind was made up and he wanted to tell Arne Slot face to face.
It was during the March international break when the Liverpool right-back, who was recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie, went to see the Dutchman in his office at the Kirkby training complex.
Alexander-Arnold informed Slot that he had decided to leave his boyhood club when his contract expired at the end of the season. He explained how he felt at this stage of his career that he needed to step out of his comfort zone and pursue a new challenge.

Slot expressed his disappointment but said he respected his vice-captain’s decision. “You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together,” Slot told him.
Having been reassured that the head coach still wanted him to feature once he was fit as Liverpool closed in on Premier League title glory, Alexander-Arnold replied: “My mindset and commitment won’t change. I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day.”
It was around the same time in March that Alexander-Arnold’s representative formally notified Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Anfield.
There was little sense of surprise at the club given talks over an extension had effectively ended earlier that month, with Alexander-Arnold then taking some time to reach a final decision. He was determined to keep the news under wraps until after the title had been won to avoid creating any unwanted distractions for the team.
Now, eight days after the wild celebrations at Anfield that followed the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham, there is official confirmation of his impending exit

Both out of respect to Liverpool and the fact that a long-term contract with Real Madrid is not yet signed and sealed, Alexander-Arnold has not confirmed his destination, but he is set to grace the Bernabeu next season.
It ends a 20-year association with Liverpool, dating back to when he first joined the academy at the age of six. He lived his dream as he clocked up over 350 appearances and won the Champions League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup, but now an emotional goodbye beckons.
The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources with knowledge of Alexander-Arnold’s situation, on the condition of anonymity to protect their positions, in an effort to answer the key questions surrounding his decision to depart.

How did Liverpool and their owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), find themselves in a position where one of their most valuable assets will be leaving for nothing at the peak of his powers? When did Real Madrid’s charm offensive start in earnest?
And, ultimately, why did Alexander-Arnold decide to leave?

The summer of 2023 was significant. It was the first time in his professional career that Alexander-Arnold had entered the final two years of his contract.
He had previously penned extensions in July 2017, January 2019 and July 2021, with Liverpool regularly rewarding his development and growing importance to the side with improved terms.
Having been appointed vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp following the departure of James Milner, he had expected Liverpool to open talks before the start of the 2023-24 season, but it didn’t happen.
There was major upheaval behind the scenes at Anfield. Julian Ward had stepped down as sporting director, just a year after succeeding Michael Edwards. Unable to find a suitable long-term successor, Liverpool gave the job to Jorg Schmadtke on an interim basis. The German executive was tempted out of retirement after being recommended by Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke.

Schmadtke described himself as Klopp’s “assistant” and his focus was on negotiating transfer deals as the club embarked on a midfield rebuild. Contract renewals took a back seat.
Then, in November 2023, the situation was complicated by Klopp informing FSG president Mike Gordon that he had run out of energy and would be leaving at the end of the season.
Once Klopp had announced the news publicly two months later, it was clear that everything would be on hold until there was clarity about the direction Liverpool were going in. No player was going to commit without knowing who was taking over and where he stood in his plans.

With Gordon keen to take a step back himself, he managed to convince Edwards to return to the fold with greater responsibility, and his first task was to bring in Hughes from Bournemouth as sporting director. Hughes’ initial priority was leading the search for Klopp’s replacement, with Slot recruited from Feyenoord.
However, Hughes’ first call in the job had actually been to Alexander-Arnold’s camp to introduce himself and in late April last year talks over a new contract were initiated, with an opening offer made before the end of that month. The England international understood the circumstances behind why it had taken Liverpool so long to come to the table, but as he approached his final year, he privately started to wonder whether the 2024-25 season could be his last for the club.
Interest from Real Madrid was already well known and he questioned how strongly Liverpool really wanted to keep him. Those concerns were allayed in the months that followed by the subsequent offers that Hughes made. It would have made Alexander-Arnold the highest paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest in world football, but by then, Alexander-Arnold was already considering the prospect of moving to Spain.

“Look, I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either,” Alexander-Arnold told reporters following Liverpool’s 3-0 home win over Bournemouth in September.
Pushed on whether he wanted to stay at Anfield, he added: “I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say.”
It was the first and final time Alexander-Arnold stopped in a media mixed zone all season. When he conducted interviews with TV rights holders, the topic was off-limits.

He kept his counsel as the speculation around his future cranked up. He didn’t want to add fuel to the fire, even if that meant allowing others to fill the void with inaccurate information.
Privately, he was wrestling with the biggest decision of his life. It was made more difficult by the close relationship he had quickly established with Slot. He loved the new head coach’s meticulous planning and attention to detail. Alexander-Arnold regards him as a genius and a perfectionist, who has helped take the defensive side of his game to the next level.
“I want you to be harsh on me,” Alexander-Arnold told Slot as they sat together at Kirkby to analyse his performances during the early weeks of the season. It was clear to him that Liverpool would be serious contenders for the biggest prizes with Slot at the helm.
Arne Slot struck up a strong relationship with Alexander-Arnold.
It helped Alexander-Arnold that there was also so much noise for most of the season surrounding the futures of team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who both ultimately ended up penning two-year extensions in April.
What cut deep was when he heard or read his commitment being questioned, with suggestions that ‘his head was already in Spain’. It reached a crescendo in the build-up to the visit of rivals Manchester United to Anfield on January 5.
The player had responded to reports in the Spanish media that he had already given Real Madrid his word that he would join them by making a talking gesture when celebrating scoring in the 5-0 rout of West Ham United.
Then, on December 30, Liverpool officially rejected an approach from Real Madrid, who wanted to buy him in the January window. It was unsolicited and prior to the January 1 date when they were allowed to speak with the player. Sources in Spain indicated they were willing to pay around £20million rather than wait six months to land him on a free transfer, but no figures were discussed during a brief exchange.

Edwards and Hughes vowed to keep the squad together for the rest of the season and knew Alexander-Arnold’s value to them was much greater with Slot’s side still competing on four fronts.
Liverpool had also snubbed strong interest from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr in striker Darwin Nunez. On January 18 there was a sense of vindication internally when Alexander-Arnold created the opening goal for Nunez in a dramatic win at Brentford. On the same day, rivals Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa as Slot’s side strengthened their grip on the title race.

Alexander-Arnold was hurt by accusations that he had actively encouraged the late December approach. He knew Real Madrid had a crisis at right-back following the knee injury suffered by Dani Carvajal in October and that they wanted to secure his services, but he was never looking to leave mid-season. He only learned a few minutes before it emerged in the UK media on New Year’s Eve that an approach had been received and rejected. At the time, he was still in active contract talks with Liverpool and hadn’t made his mind up about his future.
All the criticism affected him against Manchester United. He made a number of mistakes and bore the brunt of the Anfield crowd’s frustration during the 2-2 draw.
He was grateful for Slot’s support — both publicly and privately — during a difficult period and the reception he got from the away end when he came on against Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in London three days later lifted his spirits. He then captained Liverpool and scored in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley. There was an ovation when he was replaced by Conor Bradley in the second half.

Real Madrid had long since been keeping close tabs on Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation and had been confident of securing his signature since November.
They have made a habit in recent years of signing up some of European football’s finest talent on free transfers, including Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, and the process is well-established.

Chief scout Juni Calafat is always tasked with forging strong links with a target and establishing a player’s willingness to move before general manager Jose Angel Sanchez steps in and leads negotiations, with all major decisions needing the green light from club president Florentino Perez.
After Carvajal ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Villarreal, the Madrid board decided that Alexander-Arnold was their top target as they sought to recruit a right-back. With Carvajal turning 33 in January, they were already looking for a long-term successor, but suddenly faced with a gaping void in the team, they wanted Alexander-Arnold as soon as possible.
In January, a source close to coach Carlo Ancelotti told The Athletic: “What I know is that without a right-back, it is impossible to win the Champions League.” Senior figures at Real Madrid thought with Liverpool so far ahead domestically and with an impressive deputy in Bradley, the Premier League leaders might be open to pocketing a fee rather than losing him for nothing in the summer. But they were mistaken and Madrid’s approach was instantly rejected.

With Liverpool steadfast in their desire to keep Alexander-Arnold for the rest of the season, Madrid’s focus shifted back to signing him as a free agent. They explained the sporting and economic project in detail and asked him not to renew his contract on Merseyside.
There was growing certainty in the Spanish capital that they would get their man, and by March, Ancelotti and other senior figures at the club’s Valdebebas training facility had been informed by the board that the deal was as good as done.

Slot continued to pick Alexander-Arnold because his attitude did not waver and he did not want to deprive himself of such a creative force.
The head coach knew the lengths to which Alexander-Arnold had gone to make himself available. He had played for Liverpool with the aid of painkilling injections after suffering a side strain for England against Finland back in October. He then worked tirelessly during his rehab to get back ahead of schedule after damaging his ankle against PSG in mid-March.

That is why there was such an outpouring of emotion when he scored the winner on his comeback away at Leicester City on April 20. Through actions rather than words, he wanted to prove that he was still devoted to securing the club’s 20th top-flight crown.
“Let the headlines be his great goal and not his contract situation,”  Slot told reporters post-match. “It would be ridiculous if someone argues about his commitment to his club.”
Fellow home-grown players Steve McManaman and Michael Owen had previously left Anfield for Real Madrid in search of glory, but Alexander-Arnold’s situation is different given the runaway title triumph under Slot.
So why leave? He feels like he has achieved everything he set out to do at Liverpool. At the age of 26, he decided the time was right to test himself in a new environment. Earlier this season, he spoke about wanting to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or and he believes a fresh challenge can help unlock his full potential. He wants to experience living and playing in Madrid and having to prove himself all over again. The settling-in process should be helped by his close friendship with Jude Bellingham.

His status as a free agent means there will be a hefty signing-on fee, but money was never going to be the motivating factor for Alexander-Arnold. If it was, then from January 1 onwards, he would have invited offers from across Europe and considered interest from the Premier League.
Ultimately, it did not matter what Liverpool offered him financially. Another £5m a year would have changed nothing and there’s little sense of bitterness or resentment on either side. There is respect for Hughes, who inherited a tricky situation a year ago and did everything he could to convince him to stay.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the protracted negotiations were cordial and constructive, but it became increasingly clear that an agreement could not be reached. They could not give him what he wanted — a fresh challenge.

Alexander-Arnold, who holds the record for most Premier League assists by a defender, on 64, was fully immersed in the celebrations on the field after the emphatic victory over Tottenham at Anfield that wrapped up the title.
He stepped forward to be serenaded by the Kop as they chanted about “the Scouser in our team”. He stood in front of the supporters with his arms outstretched before tapping his heart. There was some speculation that the scenes might lead to a dramatic U-turn, but for Alexander-Arnold, it was the perfect ending.

Later that evening, there was a warm exchange with Liverpool’s principal owner, John W. Henry. “You’ve been an amazing player for this team and I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve given to this club,” Henry told him. “It’s disappointing to see you go, but I wish you well for the future.” Alexander-Arnold replied: “Thank you for everything, it’s been a pleasure.”
A couple of streets away, on the corner of Sybil Road, there’s a giant mural of Alexander-Arnold on the wall, accompanied by the quote: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.”
He had uttered those words after the Champions League final victory over Tottenham in Madrid in 2019. Now his story will continue in the Spanish capital.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

Trent to the bench. The Bradley era has begun. 

@JamesPearceLFC

·

6m

#LFC line up v Arsenal: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Mac Allister, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah.

Posted

Some EXCELLENT link-up play on these counters. Could be worse than 2-0 with a couple of different box sequences, too. So glad they’re up for this.

Posted

I really don't want to lose Diaz but I feel he's the most likely to generate a good sale price. It would be great if we could keep him though. I think he'll unlock even more goals next year under Slot. I love Jota but you just can't trust his injury history. I'm sure we'll grab another forward or 2. Honestly, the pieces are still so good. You have to replace TAA and Andy needs to move to part time. Midfield is pretty tight though. What a great position to be in. 

Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, Bodowned said:

Do you know the city at all? He’s a fucking rat to these folks.

Well, he's from there but that doesn't mean he has to play his entire career there. Boo FSG for even letting it get to this point 2 years ago. That guy helped bring you 3 titles. 20 years of his life he devoted to this club. 

Edited by mdmost
Posted
Just now, mdmost said:

Well, he's from there but that doesn't mean he has to play his entire career there. Boo FSG for even letting it get to this point 2 years ago. That guy helped bring you 3 titles. 

He knew he was leaving 2 years ago when Jude tapped him up and he let his contract run down so he & his brother could pocket the transfer fee for themselves a la Mbappe. People don’t care that he’s leaving as much as they care that he’s a $50-100M talent leaving for FREE. Meanwhile players like Grealish, Macca, Rice, Coutinho, etc. all signed extensions knowing full well they might be leaving so the club could get something.

Posted
1 minute ago, Bodowned said:

He knew he was leaving 2 years ago when Jude tapped him up and he let his contract run down so he & his brother could pocket the transfer fee for themselves a la Mbappe. People don’t care that he’s leaving as much as they care that he’s a $50-100M talent leaving for FREE. Meanwhile players like Grealish, Macca, Rice, Coutinho, etc. all signed extensions knowing full well they might be leaving so the club could get something.

The club got trophies for him

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
1 minute ago, hobbes2702 said:

The club got trophies for him

That’s not the perspective of a scouser who watched their [scouser] vice captain slink into the shadows for 8 months while the team was on a title push. They thought Trent was the next Gerrard.

Posted
Just now, Bodowned said:

That’s not the perspective of a scouser who watched their [scouser] vice captain slink into the shadows for 8 months while the team was on a title push. They thought Trent was the next Gerrard.

Slink into the shadows? Fuck off. James Pearce and Tony Evans are pretty scouse and neither of them seem to think he’s a rat or whatever. 
Everyone should be applauding him and what’s he’s done for the club.

Posted
Just now, hobbes2702 said:

Would you think that tho? 

I'm telling you. I don't think we've had this ill fitting of a piece since Balotelli or Benteke. Just a guy that doesn't really bring much other than mistakes when he's brought on. 

Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, hobbes2702 said:

Slink into the shadows? Fuck off. James Pearce and Tony Evans are pretty scouse and neither of them seem to think he’s a rat or whatever. 
Everyone should be applauding him and what’s he’s done for the club.

Have you ever read the Twitter replies to James Pearce? There is nary an LFC fan that gives a shit about what he thinks. Listen to Carragher: “I’m sick of people telling Liverpool fans how they should feel.” The city and its people has a connection with this club like no other in England. This is a betrayal to many.

Edited by Bodowned
Posted
2 minutes ago, mdmost said:

I'm telling you. I don't think we've had this ill fitting of a piece since Balotelli or Benteke. Just a guy that doesn't really bring much other than mistakes when he's brought on. 

It’s weird because I think he’s better (maybe just more dangerous cuz of pace) that those two or Carroll. But honestly he might be worse than all three.

Posted

I really would be interested to see Salah in a more central playmaker role next season on occasion. He’s not Messi-caliber, but he’s the best we’ve got and I wonder if it would suit him the way it suited Messi as he lost his pace with age.

Posted
1 minute ago, Bodowned said:

Have you ever read the Twitter replies to James Pearce? There is nary an LFC fan that gives a shit about what he thinks. Listen to Carragher: “I’m sick of people telling Liverpool fans how they should feel.” The city and its people has a connection with this club like no other in England. This is a betrayal to many.

I mean people can feel however they want about I guess but like honestly those that think this is a betrayal should grow up a bit. Same goes for Macca, Owen, etc.

What is that shit call?

Posted

MLS been on the floor more than on his feet today.

I really have no idea what FSG are gonna do about the striker position this summer. I just don’t think they’ll splash the cash for Isak unless Saudi come knocking for Darwin and Jota and hand us a get-out-of-jail free card. I think Darwin is 100% gone, but I’m curious if they keep Jota for “depth”. His finishing went to hell this year and his injury record is just really poor. Even if you sold both, you’d still need to shell out another $50+ million for Isak in all likelihood.

Posted

I dropped my subscription but saw the Athletic has a story about Frimpong.

The Athletic | Football

@TheAthleticFC

·

5h

Dutchman keen to join, no personal terms issues £29.6m release clause & homegrown status appeal Player & Bayer Leverkusen want fast resolution Left-back is Liverpool's priority What we’re hearing on #LFC & Jeremie Frimpong - and why he’s wanted

Posted

David Ornstein

@David_Ornstein

·

3h

Liverpool advancing in talks to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen - increasing confidence from Dutch int’l camp deal will be struck. 24yo #Bayer04 right-back keen on move so personal terms no issue. ~€35m clause appeals to #LFC

@TheAthleticFC

Posted
On 5/14/2025 at 8:08 AM, mdmost said:

I dropped my subscription but saw the Athletic has a story about Frimpong.

The Athletic | Football

@TheAthleticFC

·

5h

Dutchman keen to join, no personal terms issues £29.6m release clause & homegrown status appeal Player & Bayer Leverkusen want fast resolution Left-back is Liverpool's priority What we’re hearing on #LFC & Jeremie Frimpong - and why he’s wanted

 

I have one and while I haven't read the article, I've skimmed it, it gives a really good and thorough breakdown of exactly what he brings and how he fits in. I'll share it (wish you could gift articles from there like you can the Times).

 

Spoiler

Jeremie Frimpong and Liverpool: What we’re hearing – and what he offers

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Liverpool are lining up a potential deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as they plan for a future without Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the most in-demand right-backs in Europe, with 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season as he helped Leverkusen go unbeaten to clinch the Bundesliga title.

He extended his contract with Leverkusen last year until 2028 but looks set to depart the club this summer and has a release clause of around €35million (£29.6m/$39.3m).

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

Frimpong’s status as a ‘homegrown’ player under UEFA regulations — he spent nine years at Manchester City from the age of nine, having turned down the chance to join Liverpool’s academy as it was further away from where his family were based — is also attractive.

Frimpong would be keen on a move to Anfield and personal terms are not an obstacle. He is close to Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, and also knows Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo from his time in international camps with the Netherlands.

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Jeremie Frimpong is well liked at Liverpool

Both the player and Leverkusen want a resolution to his future as soon as possible. Liverpool must now decide if and when to proceed with the possible move. Securing a new left-back is currently a higher priority than buying a right-back, despite Alexander-Arnold’s impending free transfer move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Arne Slot’s current options at left-back are Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas but there is a desire to bring in a new signing to increase competition, although that would probably lead to Tsimikas’ departure. Milos Kerkez, the Bournemouth left-back, is a leading contender but not the only one.

At right-back, Conor Bradley is in contention to be a starter next season, while Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah can potentially offer cover.

Liverpool are also considering a move for a centre-half. They are one of several clubs vying for Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.

Why does it make sense?

The Dutch international ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool’s typical transfer criteria. At 24, he is approaching his peak years but can still develop and improve. He also has the required experience as he has been part of a title-winning side and experienced Champions League football.

The price is also a significant factor. Liverpool are always scanning for market opportunities and will look to take advantage of friendly release clauses, like they did with Alexis Mac Allister, paying Brighton & Hove Albion only £35m for his signature.

Personality also comes into this discussion. Frimpong is extremely popular at Leverkusen and it has been a hallmark of Liverpool’s recruitment in recent years that they have recruited good players who they also regard as good people.

It helps that he already has strong relationships with international team-mates Van Dijk, Gakpo and Gravenberch. During the recent international break, a video showed him greeting Gravenberch by putting on a Scouse accent.

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Frimpong is well known to Virgil van Dijk

The fact that Frimpong spent over a decade of his youth career at Manchester City means that Frimpong also qualifies as a homegrown player, meaning he would be directly replacing the outgoing Alexander-Arnold in more ways than one.

A player counts as homegrown when they have been registered to an English or Welsh club for a period of three seasons (or years) before their 21st birthday. A club’s 25-man Premier League squad has to account for eight homegrown players. Last season, Liverpool had seven registered — Caoimhin Kelleher, Vitezslav Jaros, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Tyler Morton and Tom Hill.

The likes of Bradley, Quansah and Elliott were still classed as under-21s, although all three will become part of the homegrown quota this season as they were all born before January 1, 2004. They will likely take the places of Kelleher and Morton, who are both likely to depart this summer, while Hill left in January.

It would also not disrupt planning in other positions. Liverpool only have one non-homegrown spot free, but potential sales of the likes of Darwin Nunez could open up spots for other incomings without restricting targets to only being homegrown.

What is he like as a player?

After arriving from Celtic in January 2021, Frimpong became a mainstay in the side when Xabi Alonso arrived in October 2022. In a flexible role, it has allowed him to shine offensively. In his last three seasons, he has scored 30 goals and provided 35 assists in all competitions.

Frimpong would be signed to play primarily at right-back, but his versatility would be an asset that Slot could use.

He has experience playing in a more advanced role, either pushing extremely high as a right wing-back, operating as a right winger or a mobile attacking midfielder.

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That was demonstrated in his role at Anfield in Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League victory in November. Frimpong’s hybrid role saw him stretch the pitch vertically and score. It was ruled out for a handball in the build-up but it outlined his speed and attacking instincts.

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Federico Chiesa was signed last summer primarily as the back-up to Mohamed Salah on the right, although that has not worked out for a variety of reasons.

Salah has remained injury-free this season, limiting chances for others to play in that position. However, next season he will miss club football for a period when he participates at the Africa Cup of Nations, which lasts from December 21 to January 18.

It is reasonable to think that Frimpong could slide into the advanced role while Salah is away and with Chiesa’s future uncertain.

How would he fit into the team stylistically?

Signing Frimpong is not like Liverpool are radically shifting from a defensive right-back to an attacking one.

Frimpong is a livewire. Everything he does is with a speed and conviction that makes him extremely difficult for defenders to cope with, particularly one-on-one. But he is not just an athlete. During his years in Leverkusen, he has worked on his timing and where to be at which points of an attacking move. He so often finds himself in the right place at the right time.

He is not a playmaker in the sense that Alexander-Arnold is. He doesn’t rake passes across the pitch and he doesn’t strike the ball in the same ultra-technical way.

His skill set means he is not required to be as involved in his side’s build-up. This is neatly outlined when looking at the off-ball runs he makes when his team have possession. As shown by SkillCorner’s profile, his running is geared more towards verticality and stretching the opposition with a high volume of runs ahead of the ball or into the box.

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In a more orthodox right-back role this season, we have seen more of that from Alexander-Arnold but the better comparison is Bradley, who uses his athleticism to run beyond Salah. It has been a common theme in Slot’s system this season to have one or both of his full-backs running beyond the winger who is often looking to cut inside.

When in those positions, Frimpong has refined his final ball and can create high-quality chances. One of his original weaknesses was a tendency to rush or panic when in position to give a final pass or take a shot, whereas — while still not absolutely dependable — his composure in those positions has developed.

The three examples below show off his decision-making and execution to provide assists from his team-mates.

Against VfB Stuttgart, Frimpong took his defender on, one-on-one, and used his pace to gain a yard and whip a near-post cross into Patrik Schick, who flicked a header home.

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The pair combined against Borussia Dortmund, too. This time, Frimpong got the ball out of his feet quickly and placed a low far-post cross perfectly into the path of Schick.

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Finally, he showed his pace and awareness to exploit the vacant space created by Nathan Tella drifting infield versus Augsburg. He picked out the onrushing Martin Terrier with a low cutback.

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Pace is not a common trait in this Liverpool side. There is athleticism, power and acceleration over small distances, but a speedster like Frimpong is something the current squad doesn’t possess.

It was demonstrated in his assists above, but it can also be used to create goalscoring opportunities for himself, like against Hoffenheim.

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His defending has developed, too. Alonso’s system typically employed a back three, leaving the wing-backs large amounts to cover in both directions. To a certain extent, Leverkusen depended on Frimpong’s acceleration to cover gaps that appeared.

At the same time, his tackling and defending have grown more measured and he is by no means simply a frustrated winger dependent on recovery pace. A great deal of study and work — including extra individual sessions working with a private coach — has gone into improving that side of his game and it shows.

It does leave some tactical questions to ponder. Liverpool have predominantly used both full-backs deeper during the opening stages of their build-up play, which is not how he is used at Leverkusen.

One caveat: the examples above all show Frimpong bursting into acres of space created down the right channel — space that is occupied at Liverpool by Salah.

The current team is built around the Egyptian and disrupting his role too much after the season he has had would be a risk. However, it may allow Salah to move more central and closer to the goal if Frimpong is allowed to have an advanced starting position, which is no bad thing.

Ibrahima Konate is used to covering large spaces down Liverpool’s right channel to cover for whichever right-back has moved forward. Gravenberch, in the right side of the double pivot, has provided more protection this season.

It may require slightly more positional awareness and discipline from Frimpong, but he is a coachable player who is far from alien to the right-back position. Simultaneously, if Frimpong is given more freedom than Slot has afforded his full-backs this season, it may result in Liverpool’s midfield being slightly more reserved.

Slot has shown he can manage and solve defensive deficiencies. He has developed Liverpool into a more compact unit in his first season in charge while using Alexander-Arnold, who is a player teams tend to target. There is no reason introducing a player like Frimpong would change that.

 

  • Hook 'Em 1

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