New signings at all times carry new inquiries to be answered and theories as to how they’ll slot in, however few have sparked as a lot tactical dialogue as Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong’s arrival for £29.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen has led to concepts as to how Arne Slot will compensate for having such an attacking participant at right-back.
The 24-year-old’s very best place would most likely be that of a right-winger in an old style 4-4-2 or a proper wing-back exterior a again three. You could possibly additionally envision him enjoying as a winger in a entrance three, however as a right-back in a again 4?
In Bayer Leverkusen’s official announcement of Frimpong’s departure, his place was described in German as ‘Flügelsprinter’, which interprets actually to English as wing-sprinter.
German has many phrases for such roles, with refined variations relying on the kind of participant (e.g. ‘Flügelflitzer’, which interprets to one thing like wing-dasher or speedster), however sprinter is an apt description of Frimpong.
How will Liverpool accommodate such an attacking full-back in a again 4?
One choice is to alter nothing. In any case, the workforce have already been working with a right-back whose principal duties lie in assault.
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Frimpong are very totally different gamers, the concept the correct full-back space would possibly want some cowl in the course of the transition from assault to defence isn’t a brand new one for Liverpool.
The attacking proper flank of Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah was given an insurance coverage coverage by two hard-working midfield gamers, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, in addition to the tempo, positioning, and front-foot duelling of centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
Jurgen Klopp not too long ago described Szoboszlai as “the perfect urgent participant in Europe proper now.”
Gravenberch, in the meantime, often coated across the right-back space in defence, together with Konate, who would generally cease assaults nearer to the supply with a sort out or header in midfield.
The way in which these two gamers drained in the direction of the top of the season backed up how a lot that they had labored all through it, and means that what may be wanted in 2025/26 isn’t essentially a tactical change, however extra trusted back-up and rotation choices in present midfield areas.
One distinction between Alexander-Arnold and Frimpong is that Trent could have been extra central as soon as the ball was misplaced, which, in concept, permits for higher defensive positioning instantly after shedding possession.
Frimpong, then again, will doubtless be wider or additional ahead, leaving him out of the sport for that essential preliminary transition second.
One factor Frimpong has over Alexander-Arnold, although, is restoration tempo, and he could possibly be again able to defend a lot faster than his predecessor – the No. 66 was typically simply bypassed in these central areas.
There may be a variety of speak about this new, buccaneering right-back altering the way in which Liverpool play, however they may simply preserve issues the way in which they’re.
Although the departed and the arrival are totally different in type, Liverpool are nonetheless changing one right-back who isn’t actually a right-back with one other right-back who isn’t actually a right-back.
How the midfield can adapt
The midfield dynamic is one thing that would change with the brand new arrivals, particularly if Florian Wirtz is added to the workforce. Szoboszlai has the power to play as a No. 8 and has indicated he would get pleasure from doing so.
This brings us to the opposite choice, which is one thing that was seen in bursts in the direction of the top of the 2024/25 season as soon as the title was gained, when Wataru Endo or Gravenberch dropped nearer to and virtually between the centre-backs in possession, forming a again three of types.
This was particularly noticeable within the recreation towards Brighton, when Szoboszlai’s position additionally modified to that of a No. 8 on the left, quite than his ordinary superior position on the correct.
A again three in possession may also be fashioned by one of many full-backs hanging again and appearing as a large centre-back on one aspect, as Andy Robertson did on events throughout Klopp’s remaining season, however potential new left-back Milos Kerkez is unlikely to stay deep.
As a substitute, Gravenberch would doubtless be the one to drop between the 2 centre-backs, in a traditional continental 4-3-3 formation with a 1-2 lineup in midfield utilizing a regista-like playmaker.
A threat of making issues quite than fixing them
One concern with this setup could possibly be the dearth of deeper build-up choices on the correct.
Frimpong is used to flying up the correct flank into the ultimate third, underlapping, overlapping, roaming free and is best when getting on the top of issues, stretching the defence within the opposition half quite than getting slowed down in build-up play.
He has the potential to hyperlink properly with Salah in superior areas – and even deputise for Salah occasionally – providing the velocity and skill to beat gamers Salah as soon as had, whereas additionally complementing the Egyptian’s elevated inventive output by being a further choice for via balls.
However the place will the right-sided build-up come from when there is just one deep-lying midfielder and the right-back is bombing ahead?
It may come from Szoboszlai dropping deeper, however it could give the Hungarian much more work to do. Towards Brighton, when this sort of 4-1-2-3 setup was examined, Slot retained the extra attacking proper midfielder with Harvey Elliott enjoying that position usually occupied by Szoboszlai.
Retaining the double pivot of Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister may be a greater choice than switching to 1 deep-lying midfielder, however not less than the choice is there to attempt one thing totally different when wanted.
Choices and flexibility
Throughout switch season, there tends to be a fixation with taking a look at a single finest XI quite than the truth of a 25-man squad.
The place will all these gamers match? There are greater than 11 good ones!
It’s a good downside to have. Liverpool want extra depth and rotation choices than that they had prior to now season in addition to extra gamers whom the supervisor trusts.
New signings, particularly versatile ones, can have a optimistic knock-on impact in different areas.
Frimpong’s arrival may imply modifications for the remainder of the workforce and altered dynamics in midfield and defence, but it surely doesn’t have to.
