Trent leaving would be a big change. Frimpong is exciting and fast, but not a typical defender.
Image credit: Radido
Liverpool’s star right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has completed his move to Real Madrid this summer, ending a remarkable chapter at Anfield.
With Arne Slot now entering his second season as Liverpool manager, he faces the challenge of maintaining stability while integrating new talent — starting with a replacement for Trent.
That replacement has already arrived: Jeremie Frimpong, a fast and skillful right-back from the Netherlands, who joins from Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
But how does Frimpong compare to Alexander-Arnold? Let’s break it down.
🔁 Different Styles: Passing vs. Dribbling
Trent Alexander-Arnold is known for his amazing passing. He’s created lots of goals with long and clever passes.
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But Frimpong plays differently. He likes to dribble past defenders and run quickly down the side of the field.
He plays more like a winger (an attacking player) than a defender.
Alexander-Arnold vs Frimpong
Domestic League Stats 2024–25
| Stat | Alexander-Arnold (Total) | Alexander-Arnold Per 90 | Frimpong (Total) | Frimpong Per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interceptions | 31 | 1.2 | 8 | 0.3 |
| Tackles | 71 | 2.7 | 33 | 1.3 |
| Tackle Success Rate | 70.4% | – | 75.8% | – |
| Possession Won | 130 | 5.0 | 84 | 3.3 |
| Errors Leading to Goals | 0 | – | 0 | – |
| Duels | 209 | 8.1 | 234 | 9.1 |
| Duel Success | 46.9% | – | 43.6% | – |
| Dribbled Past | 55 | 2.1 | 13 | 0.5 |
Dutch national coach Ronald Koeman says Frimpong is “dangerous” when attacking because of his speed.
- Frimpong has dribbled twice as much as Trent this season.
- But he has half as many passes.
- Most of Frimpong’s touches are near the opponent’s goal.
- Trent plays deeper and also helps defend.
Frimpong has scored 30 goals and made 44 assists in over 190 games for Leverkusen. That’s very impressive for a defender!
⚽ What About Defense?
Trent has been criticized for not being a strong defender.
Some people, including ex-England star Roy Keane, have said he defends like a “schoolboy.”
Frimpong also isn’t known for defending.
He usually plays as an attacking wing-back, which means he doesn’t spend much time in his own half of the field.
Even Koeman left Frimpong out of the Dutch national team before, saying, “He plays almost as a right winger. My right-back should be able to defend well in the first place and I have my doubts about that.”
Frimpong has only 22% of his touches in his own half, compared to Trent’s 48%.
So, Slot might need to change Liverpool’s formation to allow Frimpong to focus on attacking, like his coach does at Leverkusen.
👀 What About Conor Bradley?
Some fans might ask: Why buy Frimpong when we already have Conor Bradley?
Bradley, a 21-year-old from Northern Ireland, has filled in well when Trent was injured. Slot even said the club has “a lot of confidence” in him.
But Bradley is still young and needs to work on fitness. He’s played 17 games this season, starting only five. Slot said he needs more match time to improve.
Bradley had a strong performance against Real Madrid and plays in a similar style to Trent showing that he could be ready to compete with Frimpong for the right-back role.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Trent leaving would be a big change. Frimpong is exciting and fast, but not a typical defender.
