New signings all the time convey 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 ideally suited place would in all probability be that of a right-winger in an old style 4-4-2 or a proper wing-back exterior a again three. You may additionally envision him taking part in 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 delicate 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 spite of everything, the staff have already been working with a right-back whose fundamental tasks lie in assault.
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Frimpong are very totally different gamers, the concept the correct full-back space may want some cowl throughout 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 lately described Szoboszlai as “the most effective urgent participant in Europe proper now.”
Gravenberch, in the meantime, recurrently lined across the right-back space in defence, together with Konate, who would typically cease assaults nearer to the supply with a sort out or header in midfield.
The best way these two gamers drained in direction of the tip of the season backed up how a lot they’d 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 principle, 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 vital 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 discuss this new, buccaneering right-back altering the best way Liverpool play, however they might simply maintain issues the best way they’re.
Although the departed and the arrival are totally different in fashion, 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 staff. Szoboszlai has the flexibility to play as a No. 8 and has indicated he would take pleasure in doing so.
This brings us to the opposite choice, which is one thing that was seen in bursts in direction of the tip of the 2024/25 season as soon as the title was gained, when Wataru Endo or Gravenberch dropped nearer to and nearly between the centre-backs in possession, forming a again three of kinds.
This was particularly noticeable within the sport in opposition to Brighton, when Szoboszlai’s function additionally modified to that of a No. 8 on the left, relatively than his traditional superior function on the correct.
A again three in possession may also be shaped 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 last 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 danger of making issues relatively than fixing them
One subject 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 tip of issues, stretching the defence within the opposition half relatively than getting slowed down in build-up play.
He has the potential to hyperlink effectively with Salah in superior areas – and even deputise for Salah now and again – providing the pace and skill to beat gamers Salah as soon as had, whereas additionally complementing the Egyptian’s elevated artistic output by being an extra choice for by 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 taking part in that function usually occupied by Szoboszlai.
Conserving the double pivot of Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister may be a greater choice than switching to at least one deep-lying midfielder, however no 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 relatively 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 they’d previously season in addition to extra gamers whom the supervisor trusts.
New signings, particularly versatile ones, can have a constructive knock-on impact in different areas.
Frimpong’s arrival may imply adjustments for the remainder of the staff and altered dynamics in midfield and defence, nevertheless it doesn’t must.
