21-year-old right-back Jeremie Frimpong has been impressing Europe’s elite clubs this season as part of a talented Bayer Leverkusen setup, causing giant upsets in the Bundesliga.
Frimpong signed for Leverkusen from Celtic and is a product of Manchester City’s academy but the youngster has gone from strength to strength this campaign, appearing for Die Werkself 31 times, scoring twice, and assisting eight, showing beyond doubt his ability to mix it with the best at Europe’s top level.
Now, that Liverpool have shown their eagerness to strengthen themselves in every position on the pitch, Jurgen Klopp would be silly not to consider Frimpong as an option as backup for Trent Alexander Arnold.
Frimpong’s athletic prowess and direct play almost mirror that of Alexander Arnold, with pace aplenty, the Dutch full-back could slot into Liverpool’s XI when needed with relative ease, and provide Liverpool’s homegrown talent with some competition and a much-needed rest from the Premier Leagues chaotic schedule.
🚨 TRANSFER ALERT 🚨
— smarterscout (@smarterscout) January 28, 2021
Celtic's smarterscout young prospect Jeremie Frimpong is off to Bayer Leverkusen for €11m. He's a big dribbler, but he's got great ball retention thanks to his skill in 1v1s and his safe passing. Also a high-quality defender. Stats at a Bundesliga standard: pic.twitter.com/LsCNTpJRQv
Transfermarkt, currently rate the Leverkusen starlet at £18 million, a solid price tag in today’s transfer market, considering the former Celtic man’s age and the plethora of talent he possesses.
You only have to look at how far Liverpool have come in terms of strength of depth in their squad this season to see how Frimpong could help.
Kostas Tsimikas has been pushing Andy Robertson at the left-back position, and Liverpool’s most recent acquisition, Luis Diaz is providing Sadio Mane with some real problems for a starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s XI.
There is one slight stumbling block, however, if Liverpool were to join the chase to sign the Dutchman with Frimpong tied down at the BayArena until 2025 and Leverkusen keen to keep the bright prospect as a key cog in their talented young team.
Nevertheless, if Liverpool did decide to make a move for Frimpong, they would offer the attacking-minded fullback the chance to play in some of Europe’s best competitions and the opportunity to mix it in one of the world’s most exciting setups, under a manager who hands out chances to play to those who perform under pressure.