Liverpool are stepping into the unknown. They’ve done it before.
In 2022, Sadio Mane draped the curtain on his illustrious Merseyside career. One year later, Bobby Firmino left at the end of his contract. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo made for replacements, and are looking to be crowned as Premier League champions within the next two months.
Then, the big one. Jurgen Klopp shocked the world when he announced in January 2024 his decision to step down at the end of the season. The German, nearly nine years into his trophy-laden tenure, had just rebuilt his flagging midfield, hailing the creation of “Liverpool 2.0.”
You could argue that each knock has resulted in an upgrade, in growth. One step back, but two forward. With Arne Slot now at the helm, Liverpool are reaching for the stars, but in keeping with the yearly narrative, must now prepare for a new wave of adversity.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool.
When a star leaves Liverpool
It hurts. Whichever way you twist it, Alexander-Arnold’s expected decision to sign Real Madrid’s proposed contract offer hurts.
But Liverpool will endure. Indeed, Slot’s side are cruising toward the Premier League title and are expected to go full ham in the transfer market this summer, not just seeking out a replacement at right-back but strengthening across the park.
Even so, Trent rose through the ranks, was reared under Klopp’s wing, played so instrumentally and awe-inspiringly through the most illustrious epoch in this great club’s history.
In many ways, he is synonymous with Liverpool’s modern success. Of course, Liverpool will have tacitly known Trent’s off for a while; they haven’t been caught unawares.
Not like with Raheem Sterling. The youngster was the cream of the crop, Anfield’s great hope following Luis Suarez’s sale to Barcelona and Steven Gerrard’s embracing of Father Time. He was a prodigy, but he left for a city just one hour down the road.
Sold to Manchester City for a £49m fee in 2015, the 20-year-old forced his way out. He’s gone on to plunder riches in their hordes. Back then, Liverpool mourned the loss of another rising sensation, but they endured and went on to incredible heights.
You could say the same about Phil Coutinho (pictured with Sterling above) and more besides.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision cuts deep, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Indeed, Liverpool have an exciting talent in Conor Bradley and are looking to make an exciting signing to complete their right-back ranks.
Liverpool make contact with Trent replacement
As per the PA News Agency – via The Independent – Liverpool have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as they prepare for Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
It’s important to stress that while Reds interest is genuine, talks are at an early stage. Even so, the consensus (rightly) is that Trent will need replacing, and there are few better options available than Frimpong, who won an invincible domestic double with Die Werkself last year.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and with a reported release clause worth just €40m (£34m), this could be the perfect deal for Slot’s Liverpool, adding a contrasting profile to the rising Bradley.
Why Liverpool want Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong is one of the paciest and deadliest full-backs currently in the game. Last season, as Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, he chalked up 14 goals and ten assists.
Described as a “monster in the final third” by United Stand presenter Beth Tucker, Frimpong would add a newfound attacking dimension to Liverpool’s team, wholly different to Alexander-Arnold but carrying his own form of attacking sharpness.
As per FBref, the Netherlands international ranks among the top 5% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 11% for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.
Such qualities put him in the same bracket as many forwards. Indeed, judging from Frimpong’s performances in the Champions League this term, he’s even been recorded by FBref to bear a similarity to Sterling.
Sterling might be feeling the effects of a long and gruelling career on loan at Arsenal right now, but he was once one of the most potent forces in the game, all blistering pace and expert positioning and unbreakable confidence.
It’s these athletic marks, these physical qualities, that Frimpong would bring to Anfield, bearing prototypical elements that suggest he is tailor-made for Premier League success. Having been part of Manchester City’s much-vaunted academy, Frimpong clearly has what it takes.
Frimpong’s lack of defensive involvement in Xabi Alonso’s system marks an immediate drawback, or so it seems. It’s important to understand that this is a stylistic matter, not an indicator that the Netherlands international is incapable of defensive work.
Let’s scale it back to 2021/22. Frimpong won 56% of his contested duels that year, averaging a whopping 6.1 per game, as per Sofascore. To give that a bit of context, Alexander-Arnold’s duel success in the Premier League this term is as follows: 3.2 per game (47%).
Talent scout Jacek Kulig has praised Frimpong for his versatile nature, noting that his tactical flexibility is “out of this world.” Sterling is also similarly dynamic, as you can see from the table below.
Left winger
275
91
44
Right winger
186
52
51
Centre-forward
63
25
10
Attacking midfield
36
10
8
Left wing-back
6
1
0
Right wing-back
6
0
0
Though it’s unlikely that Slot would fashion Frimpong into an out-and-out forward, he does bear a tactical likeness to one of the modern game’s most versatile and high-level forwards, emphasising his remarkable fluidity.
Slot has proven himself to be an expert in layering his tactics, so interchangeable and eager to shake things up when an opponent’s particular approach demands it.
Landing a player with such a propensity for positive change is only going to boost Liverpool’s plans.
Farewell, Trent; but in Frimpong, FSG may just find the perfect tonic to ease their woes.
Liverpool's "special" academy star may leave a bigger legacy than Trent
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ByAngus Sinclair