Jeremie Frimpong has found himself in an all-too-familiar position over the past 12 months: on the sidelines. While Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo helped Holland top their World Cup group and set up a round-of-32 clash with Morocco, Frimpong was cut from the provisional Dutch squad by head coach Ronald Koeman. The 25-year-old's omission reflects a difficult first season at Anfield, where he spent significant stretches injured.
Frimpong's Anfield Struggles
Frimpong was Liverpool's first signing of a busy summer last year when they triggered his £29.5 million release clause at Bayer Leverkusen. The move was meant to give him the best opportunity to replace the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, warning signs appeared in the opening game against Bournemouth when Frimpong was forced off after an hour with a hamstring complaint. That setback set the tone for a troubled campaign.
A further hamstring injury early in a Champions League match at Eintracht Frankfurt meant Frimpong didn't start another Premier League game until after Christmas. He then created a goal for Gravenberch in a 2-1 win over Wolves. During that period, Frimpong was more effective as an attacking force, starting several games on the right flank while Mohamed Salah was away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. With his pace and direct running, he helped engineer goals at Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, and Marseille.
Third Injury Proves Too Much
A third hamstring setback, suffered in the opening minutes against Qarabag in January, was too much to overcome. Frimpong returned by the end of February, but his performances never matched his festive purple patch, ultimately leading to his World Cup absence. He started just 12 Premier League games, with only seven at right-back. Conor Bradley started 12 games but was substituted at half-time in three of them, meaning Liverpool played half the season without either primary right-back starting.
Bradley has been absent since early January after suffering serious bone and ligament damage in his knee, with no return date set. Liverpool looked for right-back reinforcements in the January transfer window, making an enquiry for Inter Milan's Denzil Dumfries and a loan offer for Lutsharel Geertrudia, who was on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig. The deal fell through, and Dumfries moved to Real Madrid earlier this month.
New Coach, New Opportunity
The sacking of Arne Slot and appointment of Andoni Iraola as head coach has shifted the landscape. Liverpool now face a decision at right-back: sign another player to ease the immediate issue or hold off, given Bradley is likely first choice when fit, and risk a repeat of last season's mixing and matching. Regardless, the onus is on Frimpong to realise his potential. He has been working on an individually-tailored training regime during his time off in Los Angeles with coach Nigus Kidane.
Iraola's arrival offers a fresh start, but Frimpong must first convince the new coach of his suitability. If Liverpool stick with their current right-back options, Frimpong will need to assume greater responsibility while Bradley remains ruled out. After a frustrating and disappointing 12 months, the Dutchman has no shortage of incentive to start delivering. He has to.
