Jeremie Frimpong was the latest to join the strong Dutch contingent at Liverpool, and his decision may well have been influenced by captain Virgil van Dijk.
Arne Slot has some of the best players from his home country at his disposal at Liverpool.
Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Van Dijk follow in the footsteps of players like Dirk Kuyt and Gini Wijnaldum.
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Liverpool added Frimpong to the list last summer, and it is really starting to pay off. After a start hampered by injuries, the former Leverkusen wing-back has started to come into his own.
Do Liverpool really need a new right-back?
Jeremie Frimpong sounds up to the challenge 🙌
Jeremie Frimpong for Liverpool
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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There was plenty of interest in Frimpong as Leverkusen were getting raided, but what his now-captain had said to him ahead of signing sold him on the Liverpool dream.
Virgil van Dijk’s promise to Jeremie Frimpong ahead of joining Liverpool
Having come up through the ranks at Man City, Frimpong’s arrival at Liverpool was initially surprising.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid, there were big boots in need of filling. Van Dijk was quite clear to him what the goal should be.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Frimpong explains: “He was like ‘just cherish these moments.’ He said Liverpool is a great club. The fans are going to love you, especially with your personality.
“And it’s a winning club, you know, so like you said, cherish these moments, you know, because you’re going to get a lot of big moments. This is what Liverpool do. So, yeah, just nice words before joining.”
Jeremie Frimpong and Virgil van Dijk
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
While team performance hasn’t been up to the required standard this season, Frimpong still thinks the Reds can achieve great things this season.
He concludes: “100%, man. You’ve got to believe, you know. I feel like if you’re a footballer, you have to believe, you don’t just play football just to play. You believe that you can do things.”
That’s the mentality you need to wear a Liverpool shirt. Let’s hope it can translate into success.
How Liverpool fans voted their best summer signing
1 – Hugo Ekitike 77%
2 – Giorgi Mamardashvili 7%
3 – Florian Wirtz 6%
4 – Giovanni Leoni 4%
5 – Alexander Isak 3%
6 – Freddie Woodman 2%
7 – Milos Kerkez 1%
8 – Jeremie Frimpong 0.73%
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Newcastle United in the Premier League at St James' Park.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
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Frimpong on privilege of playing for Liverpool
The large ambitions of Frimpong stem from the realisation that he is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Asked about what it means to him, he says: “There’s so many great players that have played for Liverpool. As a kid, you watch Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, you know, the list goes on.
“Then obviously now it’s like you’re here. It’s like, oh it’s crazy because of course I knew I would play at the top with my ability. I always had that self-confidence, but when it actually hits you, it’s like, oh I’m actually here.”
Liverpool players must recognise the pedigree and history of this club. Leaving on-pitch performance to one side, Frimpong is doing a good job of endearing himself to his new fans at Anfield.
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