Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has said he doesn’t know where Jeremie Frimpong fits into Arne Slot's side, adding that he worries the summer arrival could impact Mohamed Salah’s output.
Frimpong’s arrival was confirmed earlier this summer, with the former Manchester City youth-team graduate moving for a fee of £30 million ($40M). He is seen by many as the natural successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold following his departure to Real Madrid.
However, with Conor Bradley penning a new deal in May, Frimpong will face competition from the Northern Ireland international for a starting berth. Nicol, the ex-Liverpool defender, feels the choice is clear: Bradley should be Alexander-Arnold’s long-term replacement.
Speaking to ESPN FC, the 63-year-old added he sees Frimpong as more of an offensive player, who will operate mainly on the right wing, a position currently occupied by Salah.
“If Salah’s not fit then Frimpong starts where Salah plays,” said Nicol, who also claimed he is not comfortable with the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man as first-choice right-back.
“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.”
“Defensively, it’s not good, it’s just the same as Trent. He’s not that good a defender.
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong's transfer was confirmed in May (Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
“But going forward he’s got different attributes to what Trent had, but again, I keep ending up at the same thing, is he going to get in Salah’s way?
“I think 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.”
Frimpong’s versatility and ability to play further forward were decisive factors in Liverpool signing the 24-year-old.
With Salah set to miss up to seven league matches next term due to his involvement in the African Cup of Nations, Frimpong’s presence will be crucial for Slot as he plots the defense of his Premier League crown.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold offers a different attacking threat to Frimpong (Image: Getty Images)
But Frimpong offers a different creative approach to Alexander-Arnold, with the Dutchman’s talents lying his explosive, direct dribbling which helps penetrate the opposition defence.
It was a role he utilised expertly as Leverkusen won the 2023/24 Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso. Frimpong played 31 of the club’s 34 league matches that term and provided nine goals and nine assists.
The ex-Celtic man will also team up with Florian Wirtz again at Anfield after his move from Leverkusen was confirmed on Friday.
Meanwhile, another former teammate, Nathan Tella, said in a recent interview with FlashScore there should be no surprise that Liverpool targeted Frimpong.
“Jeremie has had many outstanding seasons at Leverkusen, and it was no surprise that a team as big as Liverpool were interested in him,” Tella explained.
“He is one of those footballers who deserves the world because he's done so much for the team to help us, and he's done so much for himself as a player.
“If you're good enough, you can play anywhere, and he's shown it's not just that he only plays in Germany, he's played at international level, he's played in the Champions League, and he's done well.
“I wouldn't say there'll be any surprise for anyone to see how good he is there. Definitely, there should be no surprise to see how well he goes.”