Liverpool have already solved a huge problem months ahead of schedule with a crucial bit of transfer business. The Reds have been among the Premier League‘s biggest spenders, splashing over £250million on several new signings. The likes of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike have all joined the Anfield giants since the end of last season.

Jeremie Frimpong was the first player to arrive, joining from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth around £30m. He was signed as a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold following the latter’s move to Real Madrid. The right-back has made a strong start to his Liverpool career, scoring on his competitive debut against Crystal Palace last weekend.

The arrival of Frimpong will ensure that Liverpool head into the new Premier League campaign with a top-class player on the right side of defence. It will also mitigate the impact of losing Mohamed Salah when he plays in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah will fly out in December and could be away for up to a month, depending on how far Egypt go at the tournament. He will be sorely missed by the Reds but Frimpong will be able to deputise for the 33-year-old while he is representing his country.

Earlier this month, Arne Slot explained that he sees Frimpong as having a role to play further forward when Salah is away on international duty.

“We definitely thought about that [Salah being away at AFCON],” said the Liverpool boss. “We brought in Jeremie Frimpong because we think he can play as a right full-back, but I also feel that he can play as a right winger.

“We will miss Mo for a maximum of six games but that’s quite a lot in the Premier League, especially when you see how well he did last season.

“Signing Jeremie was for multiple reasons but one of them was that he could replace Mo if Mo is not there. There are other options as well but Jeremie is definitely one of them.”

Frimpong played in a wide midfield role for Bayer Leverkusen last season, chipping in with five goals and six assists. It suggests he will be more than comfortable playing as a winger in the absence of Salah this season.

However, he will mostly be used as a right-sided defender and Slot is looking forward to the rivalry that will develop between Frimpong and fellow right-back Conor Bradley.

“In my opinion Jeremie and Conor are similar, but Jeremie is maybe better in one-vs-ones than Conor,” said Slot in Thursday’s press conference.

“If you play against these two, you know you have to be aware of them, so maybe Mo gets more space. If you isolate them, it is difficult [for the opposition] as well.

“So, it’s different types but Trent [Alexander-Arnold] proved it with Mo, he brought the best out of Mo and we think the same will happen with Conor and Jeremie.”

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