Jeremie Frimpong Compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold After $41M Deal

Liverpool FC has officially signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for approximately $41 million, marking the club's first major acquisition under manager Arne Slot. This move sparks debate on whether Frimpong can replace or complement outgoing star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined Real Madrid, highlighting stark stylistic differences between the two right-backs.[1][2]

Frimpong excels as an attacking dynamo, boasting superior goal-scoring and direct involvement metrics. In 190 matches for Leverkusen, he recorded 30 goals and 44 assists, averaging 0.18 non-penalty expected goals per game (98th percentile among fullbacks). Last season, 48% of Alexander-Arnold's touches were in the defensive half, versus Frimpong's mere 22%, underscoring Frimpong's forward bias. He ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive carries (4.11 per game) and high percentiles for goals and assists, evoking Alexander-Arnold's peak creativity but with a sharper edge in output.[2]

However, Alexander-Arnold's mastery lies in passing and vision. He averaged 71.8 passes per game (97th percentile) and 8.52 progressive passes (99th percentile), far outpacing Frimpong's 4th percentile in both. Slot's system underemphasizes fullbacks as primary creators—Trent's assists have dropped to a career-low 8 this season—paving the way for Frimpong's versatility. The Dutchman can slot into right wing (like Mohamed Salah's role), false nine, or striker, offering tactical flexibility.[1][2]

Defensively, concerns linger: Frimpong ranks in the 5th percentile for tackles (1.13 per game) and 3rd for interceptions (0.38), contrasting Alexander-Arnold's higher involvement. Recent stats show Trent with better passing accuracy (76.92% vs. 75%), blocks (2 vs. 12 for Frimpong), and defensive stability in some metrics, though Frimpong edges in progressive dribbles and ground duels.[3]

Slot's tactical tweaks, like pushing Luis Diaz closer to goal, suggest Frimpong will thrive in an overload attacking setup, as seen in the Community Shield. While not a like-for-like replacement, Frimpong's arrival promises a bolder, more dynamic Anfield era.[1][2]

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