Liverpool hold talks to sign £34m “monster”

Liverpool are entering into the unknown. They’ve achieved it earlier than.

In 2022, Sadio Mane draped the curtain on his illustrious Merseyside profession. One yr later, Bobby Firmino left on the finish of his contract. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo made for replacements, and need to be topped as Premier League champions throughout the subsequent two months.

Then, the large one. Jurgen Klopp shocked the world when he introduced in January 2024 his choice to step down on the finish of the season. The German, practically 9 years into his trophy-laden tenure, had simply rebuilt his flagging midfield, hailing the creation of “Liverpool 2.0.”

You could possibly argue that every knock has resulted in an improve, in development. One step again, however two ahead. With Arne Slot now on the helm, Liverpool are reaching for the celebrities, however consistent with the yearly narrative, should now put together for a brand new wave of adversity.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool.

When a star leaves Liverpool

It hurts. Whichever method you twist it, Alexander-Arnold’s anticipated choice to signal Actual Madrid’s proposed contract provide hurts.

However Liverpool will endure. Certainly, Slot’s facet are cruising towards the Premier League title and are anticipated to go full ham within the switch market this summer time, not simply looking for out a substitute at right-back however strengthening throughout the park.

Even so, Trent rose via the ranks, was reared below Klopp’s wing, performed so instrumentally and awe-inspiringly via probably the most illustrious epoch on this nice membership’s historical past.

In some ways, he’s synonymous with Liverpool’s trendy success. In fact, Liverpool could have tacitly recognized Trent’s off for some time; they have not been caught unawares.

Not like with Raheem Sterling. The teenager was the cream of the crop, Anfield’s nice hope following Luis Suarez’s sale to Barcelona and Steven Gerrard’s embracing of Father Time. He was a prodigy, however he left for a metropolis only one hour down the highway.

Offered to Manchester Metropolis for a £49m charge in 2015, the 20-year-old compelled his method out. He is gone on to plunder riches of their hordes. Again then, Liverpool mourned the lack of one other rising sensation, however they endured and went on to unbelievable heights.

You could possibly say the identical about Phil Coutinho (pictured with Sterling above) and extra apart from.

Alexander-Arnold’s choice cuts deep, nevertheless it’s not the be-all and end-all. Certainly, Liverpool have an thrilling expertise in Conor Bradley and need to make an thrilling signing to finish their right-back ranks.

As per the PA Information Company – through The Unbiased – Liverpool have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as they put together for Alexander-Arnold’s departure.

It is vital to emphasize that whereas Reds curiosity is real, talks are at an early stage. Even so, the consensus (rightly) is that Trent will want changing, and there are few higher choices accessible than Frimpong, who received an invincible home double with Die Werkself final yr.

Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United are additionally eager, and with a reported launch clause value simply €40m (£34m), this could possibly be the right deal for Slot’s Liverpool, including a contrasting profile to the rising Bradley.

Why Liverpool need Jeremie Frimpong

Frimpong is among the paciest and deadliest full-backs presently within the recreation. Final season, as Bayer Leverkusen received the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, he chalked up 14 targets and ten assists.

Described as a “monster within the remaining third” by United Stand presenter Beth Tucker, Frimpong would add a newfound attacking dimension to Liverpool’s staff, wholly completely different to Alexander-Arnold however carrying his personal type of attacking sharpness.

As per FBref, the Netherlands worldwide ranks among the many high 5% of full-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets, the highest 11% for assists, the highest 6% for shot-creating actions, the highest 2% for progressive carries and the highest 1% for touches within the attacking penalty space per 90.

Such qualities put him in the identical bracket as many forwards. Certainly, judging from Frimpong’s performances within the Champions League this time period, he is even been recorded by FBref to bear a similarity to Sterling.

Sterling may be feeling the consequences of a protracted and gruelling profession on mortgage at Arsenal proper now, however he was as soon as one of the vital potent forces within the recreation, all blistering tempo and skilled positioning and unbreakable confidence.

It is these athletic marks, these bodily qualities, that Frimpong would convey to Anfield, bearing prototypical components that recommend he’s tailored for Premier League success. Having been a part of Manchester Metropolis’s much-vaunted academy, Frimpong clearly has what it takes.

Frimpong’s lack of defensive involvement in Xabi Alonso’s system marks a right away disadvantage, or so it appears. It is vital to grasp that it is a stylistic matter, not an indicator that the Netherlands worldwide is incapable of defensive work.

Let’s scale it again to 2021/22. Frimpong received 56% of his contested duels that yr, averaging a whopping 6.1 per recreation, as per Sofascore. To present {that a} little bit of context, Alexander-Arnold’s duel success within the Premier League this time period is as follows: 3.2 per recreation (47%).

Expertise scout Jacek Kulig has praised Frimpong for his versatile nature, noting that his tactical flexibility is “out of this world.” Sterling can also be equally dynamic, as you may see from the desk beneath.

Although it is unlikely that Slot would vogue Frimpong into an out-and-out ahead, he does bear a tactical likeness to one of many trendy recreation’s most versatile and high-level forwards, emphasising his exceptional fluidity.

Slot has confirmed himself to be an skilled in layering his techniques, so interchangeable and desperate to shake issues up when an opponent’s specific method calls for it.

Touchdown a participant with such a propensity for optimistic change is just going to spice up Liverpool’s plans.

Farewell, Trent; however in Frimpong, FSG could discover the right tonic to ease their woes.