Liverpool wrapped up the signing of Jeremie Frimpong after agreeing to pay his £29.5million release clause to Bayer Leverkusen, beating Manchester United to the full-back
Rio said the Liverpool transfer news “hurt” him(Image: PA)
Rio Ferdinand was gutted to see Jeremie Frimpong snub Manchester United for rivals Liverpool this summer. The Dutch international made the switch to Anfield after the Reds agreed to pay his £29.5million release clause at Bayer Leverkusen.
Frimpong signed a five-year contract with Liverpool, stepping in as a swift replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold following his move to Real Madrid. Known for his attacking prowess, the 24 year old right-back notched up five goals and eight assists in the 2024/25 season, adding to his impressive tally of 10 goals and seven assists from the previous campaign.
Liverpool didn’t wait too long to fill the void left by Alexander-Arnold, and this has left Ferdinand feeling down.
Rio wanted Frimpong for United(Image: TNT Sports)
The ex-Manchester United centre-back believes Frimpong would have been a top fit for Ruben Amorim’s game plan.
“Frimpong is going to Liverpool which will hurt me a little bit, I’ve got to be honest,” Ferdinand lamented on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “I think he would fit the way that Ruben Amorim wants to play perfectly.”
Despite being a product of Manchester City’s academy, Frimpong had no second thoughts about joining Liverpool.
Frimpong said: “It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.
“For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’, [speaking to] my agents: ‘Just get this done.'”.
“Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.
“I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want.”
Frimpong said it was easy for him to sign on to Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Despite his disappointment, Ferdinand has been chuffed with how quick Manchester United have been off the mark in the transfer window. The Red Devils have already wrapped up the deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
“I have to say, I’m really excited about Cunha signing,” Ferdinand gushed. “I’m happy we signed him, I’m happy with how aggressive we’ve been immediately, acting on it instantly.”
He went on: “I think this is a great start to the transfer window. If I was advising the recruitment team on anything now, I would be saying: ‘Please make sure you do not forget an experienced No.9’.
“I’m not going to say names, I’ve said the names too many times, and I would go and get a midfielder as well. A midfielder that can dictate the player and pass and be the orchestrator, but he also needs to have some legs about him as well.
“That’s what Ruben Amorim’s teams are about, they do that. Those two players would be the next ones, a centre-forward and a central midfielder, also a right-back.”
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