Plot twist: Jeremie Frimpong is NOT going to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold | OneFootball

Liverpool are feeling increasingly confident of signing Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong.

The 24-year-old is likely to leave Germany this season, following the departure of Xabi Alonso from the club and Liverpool are in pole position to get a move secured.

His talents have made him an extraordinary asset in the Bundesliga, regular creating chances and scoring goals in a free role down the right-hand side of the pitch.

One problem with this move that Liverpool fans are concerned about is his defensive abilities. Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving, which is the only reason why Frimpong is being assessed, but the Dutchman's expertise as a wing-back doesn't quite match up with the responsibilities of a full-back.

As such, there is reason to question what his role in the team would be. Here's a theory to consider.

© IMAGO - Jeremie Frimpong Liverpool

Frimpong is not a Trent replacement

Once a deal is struck, Frimpong's name will go under the list of full-backs at Liverpool, even though we all know that he isn't one. But assuming he will be forced to act as a traditional full-back would be a mistake - there is a clear roadmap for how we can get the best out of him.

Conor Bradley is probably going to be the Reds' main right-back, who is known for his occasional attacking play but his more reliable defensive duties. Meanwhile, Frimpong is definitely going to be bombing it forward, and that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

In order to understand the club's motivations, we need to get down to the core part of this transfer.

Frimpong will be filling Trent's place in the squad, but he will not be a Trent replacement - if that makes sense. The two player's roles in the team will be very different.

Instead of seeing Trent drifting into midfield, you will see Frimpong staying wide on the side of the pitch, creating space for the forwards to move into and making crossing angles for himself.

This would see Mohamed Salah potentially move from a winger-position to a No.10 form time to time, which would by-pass the countless defenders marking the Egyptian in big games.

Take both legs of the Paris Saint Germain tie in the Champions League, or the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, Salah barely got a sniff - winning just eight of his 27 contested duels and getting just four shots away across the 300 minutes.

Given the Egyptian has become more of a creator this season, while still netting 33 goals in all competitions, it would make sense to have him in the centre of the action, and having a 'full-back' who can stay wide most of the time would help facilitate that.

Lionel Messi was able to spend more his time infield during the 2020/21 season and it simple gave him more freedom to attack the opposition's defence, while creating doubt and uncertainty. in the minds of the defenders the that was coming up against.

the Egyptian goes to compete in AFCON during January 2026, so it's clear that Liverpool's latest target cannot possibly be branded a replacement for Trent. He's actually so much more than that.