Just last summer, Liverpool were linked to a whole host of players all over the map. Several of those players would have been fine additions. In the end, a bargain deal for Federico Chiesa was all that came of it.
Fast forward a year, and now newly crowned as Premier League champions, the Reds took a different approach and secured a marquee signing before the transfer window truly began.
This kind of ruthless aggression and efficiency in their pursuit of a target is not something we always see, so it should be celebrated.
A second aspect of this deal that is so important is who he will be replacing, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Sooner the Better
The fact that Liverpool were able to secure a top class replacement for the departing Alexander-Arnold before he has even officially left the club is a brilliant piece of transfer work.
Throw in the fact Frimpong is a proven commodity at the highest levels of the game, and his €35 million price looks to be nothing.
He will now have the entirety of the summer to be fully integrated at the club, the city and in Arne Slot's system. This is extra important because the player he is replacing was such a key cog to the Reds makeup that he will need to be firing on all cylinders from Day 1.
Not allowing this to become a dreaded transfer saga where days turn into weeks and other clubs join the fray, before ultimately missing out on the player altogether, is also a big boon to the club.
They identified his qualities, deemed him worthy, recognized his value and made their move. Does it help he had a modest release clause to be triggered? Sure it does.
Reds not getting Complacent
Securing a very good player on the cusp of his prime at a good cost because you did the legwork on him prior and identified his contract clause, should be a good reflection on the club, not an indictment.
The almost cold efficiency in replacing one of their very best players is something that should unnerve their title rivals just a bit.
Any hopes they might have had that the departure of Trent would be the beginning of a chaotic period where they could try to take advantage and close the 15+ point gap to Liverpool in the league were put on hold with this move.
Conor Bradley is a very good player that will only get better, but top clubs have multiple options everywhere on the pitch, so Slot knew this was a necessity and the club got it done for him.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United all know the Reds are not going to sit back happy with a 20th league title. This is just the beginning of the new era at the club and they will keep pushing forward.
Jeremie Frimpong could be the first of several new arrivals this summer to Anfield. However, the speed at which his deal materialized is a warning shot off the bow, Liverpool are going to fight to stay at the summit.