Liverpool close in on Jeremie Frimpong, while links to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz remain, so what would those transfers say about the future?
LIVERPOOL are champions, Arne Slot is living it up in Ibiza and the transfer gossip is rife.
Could things be any better?
Well, there’s the obvious matter of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s increasingly acrimonious exit, but apart from that things are pretty good.
The links to Florian Wirtz this and Jeremie Frimpong set tongues wagging and pulses racing last week. But enough about Rob Gutmann.
What’s clear is the club are profiling a number 10 as well as flexible, athletic full-backs. Another central midfielder is also a strong possibility.
Frimpong makes all the sense and simultaneously none at all. His release clause and value represent such Liverpool transfer behaviour, but his position and attributes make it look more opportunistic (that word again) than succession planning.
The fact both he and Wirtz are being linked is fascinating. Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-3 system at Bayer Leverkusen is apparently the thing which put him out of the running as Jürgen Klopp’s potential replacement.
Signing two players key to that shape is somewhat surprising given how it differs on paper to Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 under Arne Slot.
Leverkusen have failed to repeat the heights from their Bundesliga title-winning season of 2023-24, but have retained high numbers of shots per game compared to most.
At their best under Alonso, Leverkusen aren’t entirely different to Liverpool. They favour a high amount of possession (kill them with passes, anyone?) but also want to create a high number of chances through quick, back-to-front attacks when the opportunity presents.
Wirtz is key to this, he posted a higher number of shots and touches in the box compared to Dominik Szoboszlai in this season’s Champions League. Frimpong, on the other hand, is dribbles and pressures and everything you would expect from a wing back.
Frimpong is allowed to maraud with others covering vacated space. It will be interesting how Slot ensures that freedom doesn’t encroach on Mohamed Salah’s ability to operate in that right attacking channel.
While the Dutch international seems pretty nailed on, you do wonder whether Wirtz might be a stalking horse of sorts. Liverpool also registered an interest in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia last January when it seemed he was only ever Paris bound.
What’s clear is Liverpool want to increase their attacking capabilities under Slot. Wherever they do improve, decks will have to be cleared for that to happen.
It’s feasible that up to seven first-team squad members leave this summer. Alexander-Arnold we know is gone, but the futures of Darwin Nunez, Wataru Endo, Caoimhin Kelleher, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas remain up in the air.
If that comes to pass, Liverpool may need more reinforcements to bolster their ranks. The club is healthy from a PSR standpoint, and therefore increased funds from any of these sales will bolster the coffers.
However, saying goodbye to seven players and only signing four, for example, is not a doomsday scenario. We know the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are pushing hard for chances to develop. There are still questions around the likes of Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic as squad options.
We’ve seen from this season that Slot prefers a tight squad and has proved he can maintain a healthy fitness record. Luck inevitably plays its part in that, but from a fitness, rehab and sports science standpoint, the club are getting it spot on.
It all promises to be an exciting summer with many twists and turns. We just have the small matter of lifting the Premier League at Anfield and parading it around the city to deal with first.
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“He wants players through the door early this year to have a proper pre-season.”
“I think Kerkez will start to reach a more advanced stage in the next few weeks definitely…”
️ Lewis Steele – Brighton, Transfers and Liverpool’s Big Summer pic.twitter.com/bJRofhId4x
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) May 19, 2025
