Jeremie Frimpong in action for Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Liverpool picked up their first Premier League win of the season against Ipswich Town on Friday night, but the result and win wasn't good news for everyone, including Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool are looking to have a much-improved Premier League season following the disappointing defence of their 2025 Premier League title last time out, and while they are unbeaten, they would have liked to have more than five points at this point of the campaign.
However, Andoni Iraola will be delighted that he is at least unbeaten, and he didn't get Bradley Barcola through the door until the final days of the summer transfer window.
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The Spaniard will still be working out which players will and won't fit into his philosophy in the long-term, and there was a clear indication that neither Federico Chiesa nor Wataru Endo are a major part of his plans, after both were omitted from the club's Champions League squad.
The decision to leave Chiesa out was slightly understandable given he is currently injured, but the Italian is expected to be back on the pitch after the upcoming international break.
However, the 28-year-old has ultimately been a big disappointment ever since his move to Anfield from Juventus in 2024, and it would be no surprise if this is the forward's final season at Anfield.
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Chiesa Record for Liverpool
Appearances
Starts
Goals
Assists
Endo is fit, and the decision is a clear signal of where he lies in Iraola's midfield pecking order, having largely found himself on the fringes throughout his Liverpool career.
There will be another player beginning to fear for his Anfield future in Frimpong, after what has just happened.
Frimpong Could Fall Down Pecking Order
Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA
Liverpool signed Frimpong for Bayer Leverkusen on a contract worth around £100,000-a-week, although he will already be fearing how his career at Anfield is going to pan out.
The Netherlands international was often used in a more attacking right-sided role by Arne Slot, but he reverted to playing at full-back in the two 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at the beginning of this season.
However, despite the Reds' third game being against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, Iraola decided he wanted a more defensively-minded option at right-back in Ronald Araujo.
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Frimpong in PL 2026-27
Appearances
Minutes
Top speed
Sprints
Assists
Chances created
Duels won
Dispossessed
Defensive contributions
Frimpong ended up being an unused substitute at Portman Road, and it would have been a big disappointment for the Dutchman in a game where he surely could have played a big part from an attacking point of view.
Iraola offered the 25-year-old hope that he will get his opportunities in the coming weeks after the win against the Tractor Boys, but it has to be a worrying development for Frimpong still.
Iraola is basically admitting there that he can't trust Frimpong in every game, and that is the last thing any player wants to hear.
What we also need to take into consideration is that towards the end of the year, Conor Bradley is also set to return following his knee injury, so there will be extra competition for the right-back spot at that time.
Even if Frimpong wanted to play further forward, there is extra competition for the right-wing spot too.
Victor Munoz and Cody Gakpo have both played on the right this season, with the latter in particular really impressing Iraola, while Barcola of course is also likely to be starting sooner rather than later.
What is clear is that when Frimpong gets his next opportunity he needs to show up, but the doubts from his manager are already there and that surely raises doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.