Jeremie Frimpong has hailed Xabi Alonso as a manager who knows exactly how to use him as the Spaniard continues to be linked with Liverpool.
Alonso is the outstanding candidate to take over from Arne Slot should the Reds head coach lose his job, with many supporters keen to see their former player return.
Having played under him at Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong knows exactly what Alonso could bring to Liverpool, and has admitted that he knew just how to get the best out of his attributes.
Wirtz needs a rest, but who on earth is going to play right-back?
It surely won't be Gomez or Frimpong 😬
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Frimpong says Alonso knew how to use him
Like many Liverpool players, Frimpong has had a difficult season, with injuries interrupting his first year with the Reds.
When he has played, it has not always been immediately obvious how the Dutchman can best help the Reds, which has only increased calls for Alonso to arrive and put that right.
Asked about his former coach while speaking to Men In Blazers, Frimpong confirmed that the invincible Bundesliga title-winner just knew how he could be most effective.
Jeremie Frimpong runs with the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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“He [Alonso] is a great player, you know, legend,” he said. “He knows the game. If you have a coach like him, you know, you have to listen. He knows what’s best for you. He’s seen a lot of players that are good, so he’s got all the experience.
“So of course, when he first came, he just knew how to use me. He knew I could help the team a lot with my speed and my ability to get past people. Just practicing your final third balls, when to run so you are not offside, things like this.”
How did Alonso use Frimpong?
Frimpong is a very specific player who, when at home in the right system, can be incredibly effective.
However, as seen during his spell at Liverpool so far, he is also a little limited, and when used wrongly he can start to look like a fish out of water.
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At Leverkusen, the former Man City youth prospect was used in a variety of roles by Alonso, none of which would suit this current Liverpool set-up.
He was often deployed on the right of a back five, as he was during the Reds’ loss against PSG on Wednesday, but was usually much more attacking than what was asked of him in Paris.
Interestingly, Alonso also used Frimpong alongside Florian Wirtz as dual No. 10s behind a central striker.
Again, it is hard to see Slot doing anything like this, but if Alonso does arrive, maybe we could see it happen. For all of the reasons to bring the World Cup-winner to Anfield next season, getting the best out of Frimpong should be right near the top of the list. The right-back’s admission is unlikely to ease calls for Alonso’s return.
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