Frimpong Agrees Five-Year Deal as Liverpool Prepare to Activate Release Clause | OneFootball

Liverpool Set to Land Frimpong in Statement Slot Signing

Dutch defender poised to bring pace and penetration to Anfield

Liverpool’s summer reshaping under Arne Slot looks set to begin in earnest with a dynamic and daring addition. As reported by David Ornstein for The Athletic, Jeremie Frimpong is “set to undergo a medical ahead of completing a proposed transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool”.

The Dutch international has agreed a five-year contract and “the Anfield club will activate his release clause, which is worth in the region of €35million (£29.6m; $39.3m).” In the current market, that represents smart business for a player who has flourished under Xabi Alonso’s title-winning side.

Frimpong’s 2023–24 season was remarkable. In 47 appearances across all competitions, he contributed 14 goals and 12 assists, helping Leverkusen go unbeaten en route to their historic Bundesliga crown. More winger than right-back, the 24-year-old’s ability to stretch defences and attack space makes him a standout figure on the flank.

Photo: IMAGO

New shape taking form under Slot

If confirmed, Frimpong would arrive as both a reinforcement and a reshaping of Liverpool’s tactical identity. With Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly bound for Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract this June, Frimpong is a different profile entirely.

Mark Carey, writing in The Athletic, described him as “about as attacking as it gets among right-backs in the game today.” In other words, he’s a specialist of verticality. His movement is often direct, relentless, and purposefully detached from deeper build-up play. He’s less conductor, more chaos – but chaos with purpose.

That profile would ask different questions of Slot’s system. Frimpong’s arrival likely signals a tactical evolution, not just a like-for-like replacement. Liverpool’s midfield, particularly the right-sided eight, may have to adjust to provide more defensive cover. Ibrahima Konaté, already known for his sweeping recovery work, would take on even greater responsibility if Frimpong pushes high and wide.

Experience beyond his years

Frimpong is no stranger to adaptation. A graduate of Manchester City’s academy, he honed his craft in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic before making the leap to Germany. He’s operated as both a conventional right-back and a flying wing-back, and has done so for the Netherlands at international level.

Even Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, acknowledged his standing earlier this season: “One of the best players in the league in his position.”

Photo: IMAGO

The numbers back that up. In 48 games this term, he’s provided five goals and 12 assists. Even as Leverkusen occasionally shifted to a back four, Frimpong’s ability to influence the game from wide areas rarely waned.

With Conor Bradley signing a new contract through to 2029, Liverpool are clearly preparing their right side for long-term sustainability. Whether Slot uses both in rotation or pushes one into a different role remains to be seen.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Frimpong to Liverpool feels like a clever, calculated move – the kind of transfer that combines potential with pedigree. He’s not just a highlight-reel player; he’s someone who’s come through different footballing cultures and thrived. And at €35m, it feels like business done with both head and heart.

Replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold is no small task. For many fans, it’s not just about replacing a player, it’s replacing a system. Trent redefined the position at Liverpool. Frimpong is no clone, but that’s the point. Slot seems ready to move in a different direction – faster, more vertical, perhaps more fluid in transitions.

There will be growing pains. Adapting to the Premier League is never straightforward, and Liverpool’s midfield will need rebalancing to cover his surges forward. But this is a forward-thinking move – a clear signal of Slot’s vision and the club’s willingness to back it.

If Frimpong settles quickly, he could become a fan favourite. He plays with energy and fearlessness – two qualities that Anfield has always admired. Add in his versatility and work ethic, and Liverpool may have found the perfect player for a new era.