Trent Alexander-Arnold is the reigning Liverpool right-back. James Milner and Joe Gomez were reserve players until last season, but Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley has emerged this season and is performing well enough to even be a regular.
Although they are not pressed for reinforcements in the position at the moment, reports are rife that Liverpool are interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Dutch defender Jeremy Frimpong. The attacking right wing-back has been in fine form for his club, scoring 12 goals and assisting 11 in 35 games.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are prepared to pay an equivalent fee for the 23-year-old side-back, who has a £35 million release clause in his contract. Manchester United and Arsenal are also listed as interested clubs.
35 million pounds is cheap for a young defender who is on the market to rave reviews and has the full potential to become a success story like Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in last summer’s transfer window.
However, there is no wing-back or right midfield position in the current team, which is the Dutch defender’s forte. He is also small at 1.71 cm and will struggle to cope when challenged to a physical game.
In a scenario with a new coach, Ruben Amorim, this transfer could be expected to accelerate. The manager has four midfielders or wing-backs on either side in front of the three-backs at Sporting, and he may have a whitewash as a player who can break down the right flank and score goals at the same time.
Will the 23-year-old defender, who has also played in England for Manchester City and Celtic, challenge for the Premier League next season?