Liverpool are considering a new right-back signing after growing doubts over Jeremie Frimpong’s long-term suitability for the position, with the club understood to be monitoring potential targets for January and next summer.
Frimpong joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5 million last summer, but his first season at Anfield has been inconsistent. Those concerns intensified during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City, when he struggled against Rayan Cherki.
Liverpool assess right-back options
Football Insider reports that Liverpool have begun identifying possible alternatives as they review a position that appeared more secure when Frimpong arrived. Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is among the players being monitored, although a move may be delayed until next summer.
Conor Bradley’s ongoing struggles with consistent fitness have added to the uncertainty. Frimpong started Liverpool’s first two Premier League matches under Andoni Iraola, but was subsequently left on the bench for the next three games, during which the team kept three clean sheets.
The Netherlands international’s attacking qualities have not been questioned. The concern is whether he can offer the defensive reliability required in a conventional back four, particularly when facing elite wingers one-on-one.
Frimpong endured a difficult afternoon against Manchester City and was beaten too easily in the build-up to the hosts’ third goal. His performance drew strong criticism from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “The less said about Jeremie Frimpong the better, he’s all over the place.”
Liverpool are not understood to have completely written off Frimpong after little more than a season at the club. However, the reported search for another right-back suggests his position is no longer considered guaranteed.
The coming months could prove important in determining whether Frimpong remains Liverpool’s long-term solution or whether the club pursue further defensive reinforcements.
