Liverpool wasted no time replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold when the player announced his intention to leave for Real Madrid.
The Reds activated Jeremie Frimpong’s £30 million release clause at Bayer Leverkusen while Trent was still seeing out the end of his Anfield contract.
Arne Slot made it clear that the Dutchman would compete against Conor Bradley for a starting berth, but Frimpong has immediately impressed his teammates and thus far stood unopposed, with Bradley nursing injury concerns at the start of the season.
However, he was removed 59 minutes into his Premier League debut against Bournemouth, and now Slot has confirmed Frimpong will be sidelined until the international break in another injury blow for the Reds.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The news could not have come at a worse time for Liverpool, who will face Newcastle United and Arsenal before the break – this could have all been avoided had Slot listened to Darren Bent’s advice.
Liverpool should have signed Denzel Dumfries
When speaking about Trent’s impending Anfield exit last season, Shearer told talkSPORT that Denzel Dumfries would have been his choice to replace the Scouser.
“You know who I would like (Liverpool) to get at right back, and I don’t think they’d be able to get him, but I have liked him for a long time, and I think he’s incredible. Dumfries! But it’s going to cost you.”
The 29-year-old was in scintillating form for Inter Milan last season, recording a return of 10 goals and five assists, and he, of course, helped his side to reach the Champions League final.
"I'd like Liverpool to sign Denzel Dumfries." 👏
Darren Bent discusses how Liverpool can replace Trent Alexander-Arnold next season… pic.twitter.com/6X7x1DWhH9
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 16, 2025
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Frimpong scored a wonder goal on his competitive debut for Liverpool during the Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace, and his absence was felt as Bournemouth overturned the two-goal deficit at Anfield following his substitution.
His displays have been so impressive thus far that Wayne Rooney has claimed Frimpong will be Liverpool’s most important signing come the end of the season, even ahead of Florian Wirtz.
Slot must find a viable solution to fill the void at right-back – youth prospect Amara Nallo could be an option, but whoever the Liverpool boss calls upon will be put to the ultimate test against elite-level Premier League opposition.
How do Jeremie Frimpong and Denzel Dumfries compare?
While the timing of Frimpong’s injury is far from ideal, his injury record is remarkably low in comparison to that of his Dutch compatriot.
Although Dumfries has managed to remain relatively injury-free for the majority of his career, he has faced numerous spells on the sidelines in the past two seasons.
Denzel Dumfries Injury History Season Days Missed Games Missed
Muscle Fatigue 2024/25 8 2
Hamstring 2024/25 40 11
Fever 2024/25 3 1
Unknown 2023/24 27 7
Muscle Fatigue 2023/24 5 1
Corona Virus 2020/21 15 4
Statistics provided by Transfermarkt.
Whereas Frimpong has only suffered one major injury in his career, a syndesmotic ligament tear sustained during the 2021/22 campaign, which resulted in the full-back missing 11 matches.
History suggests this recent setback will not be a regular occurrence for Frimpong at Liverpool, but Dumfries, on the other hand, appears more of an injury risk.