Liverpool’s £30m Frimpong Gamble: Nicol Questions Fit in Slot’s XI
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has cast doubt on the club’s £30 million signing of Jeremie Frimpong, questioning whether the former Bayer Leverkusen full-back suits Arne Slot’s plans. Speaking on ESPN, Nicol delivered a critical take on the Dutch international’s place in the starting line-up, despite Frimpong’s impressive attacking output last season in the Bundesliga.
“In the starting XI, everybody’s fit, I don’t see… no, I’m not comfortable with Frimpong at right-back,” Nicol said. “I’m interested to see what Arne Slot wants him to do. Because right now, in my head, I’m thinking, ‘is he going to get in Salah’s way?’ That’s what I’m thinking.”
It’s a bold assessment given Frimpong’s reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic right-sided players. At 24, he recorded five goals and 12 assists as Leverkusen finished second in Germany’s top flight. Yet for Nicol, who lifted the European Cup with Liverpool in 1984, questions about the player’s defensive capabilities outweigh his attacking prowess.
Tactical Reshuffle Under Arne Slot
Slot, who led Liverpool to a Premier League title in his first season, is now faced with the challenge of reshaping the right-hand side of his team following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. While Frimpong offers a clear attacking outlet, Slot’s system will need to absorb and compensate for the same defensive frailties that often shadowed Alexander-Arnold.
“Defensively, it’s not good. It’s just the same as Trent, he’s not that great a defender,” Nicol added. That verdict not only questions Frimpong’s one-v-one defending but also how his positioning could affect the balance when paired with Mo Salah on the same flank.
Bradley’s Emergence Adds Pressure
Conor Bradley’s return from injury complicates matters further. The 20-year-old Northern Irishman missed a substantial chunk of the past two seasons but is now fully fit and ready to push for a regular starting role. Nicol sees him as the more natural choice.
“Absolutely, if everybody’s fit Bradley starts, I don’t think Frimpong starts. I don’t see where he fits in, I really don’t,” he stated.
That assessment aligns with wider conversations among pundits and supporters. Alan Shearer has already offered his own preference between Frimpong and Bradley, and the competition at right-back could define Liverpool’s early season narrative.
Slot’s Long-Term Vision Tested Early
Frimpong, a product of Manchester City’s academy who found his feet at Celtic before starring in Germany, has long been admired by Liverpool scouts. His signing signals long-term planning, particularly with the unpredictability surrounding Mo Salah’s future and potential positional tweaks.
Yet if Nicol’s doubts prove well-founded, Arne Slot could be forced into a rethink sooner than expected. Whether Frimpong becomes a mainstay or remains a luxury option will depend not just on his adaptability, but on Slot’s tactical clarity and willingness to risk disruption to one of Liverpool’s most productive zones.
