Liverpool Transfer News: Could Frimpong or Vanderson replace Trent this summer?

Liverpool fans voiced their opinion on Trent Alexander-Arnold after he replaced Conor Bradley in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Last week, the England international informed the public of his decision to leave the Reds once his contract expires at the end of June, meaning Liverpool won’t get a fee for a player who has been on the club’s books for over 20 years. 

This is what stings supporters the most. Yes, Trent established himself as key man for the Merseyside outfit during a successful chapter in the club’s history, playing his part in landing two Premier League titles, a Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, but the manner of his departure is what has hurt fans. 

Attention, then, turns to his potential replacement. Arne Slot opted to start Bradley against Arsenal for this very reason. “He needs playing time, games under his belt to be prepared for next season,” the Dutchman said ahead of the weekend’s action. While Bradley has struggled with injuries this season, meaning he does need game time, there felt like a slight dig at Trent in there, with Real Madrid likely to be his next destination. 

Even so, Liverpool are likely to make a move for a new right-back in the off-season. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s new respective contracts means there is less of a need to bolster at centre-back and out wide, yet investment in defence is required. A host of players have been linked with a move to Anfield to replace Alexander-Arnold, yet his are big boots to fill. 

The 26-year-old is one of the most prolific creators in the Premier League, and this is the primary area Liverpool need to target in order to sign the right successor. And if recent reports are to be believed, then it comes down to two names – Jeremie Frimpong and Vanderson. 

With Xabi Alonso departing Bayer Leverkusen this summer, it feels like a real change of guard is afoot at the BayArena, with Frimpong potentially following the Spaniard through the exit. While there wouldn’t be a shortage of suitors for the Dutchman should he indeed depart Bayer Leverkusen, interest from Liverpool shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Reds do, after all, rely on their full-backs to push forward and overlap the wingers, who themselves opt to cut inside from their respective flanks. 

While Frimpong’s style of play is a little different to that of Trent’s, the desire to bombard upfield is an appealing quality that Slot would certainly look for in a new right-back. Frimpong has proven time and time again that he doesn’t need a second invitation to get forward, and it’s for this reason why the 24-year-old has five goals and five assists to his name, the latter coming from an average of 1.2 key passes per 90. 

This is lower than Trent’s return of six assists from two key passes per 90 in the Premier League this season, but still highlights Frimpong’s impressive attacking contribution for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany’s top tier. In addition, fans have often witnessed Frimpong routinely getting the ball into the box, as evidenced by his 4.5 crosses per 90, albeit with a 19% success rate. Again, both are lower than Trent’s 5.6 per 90 at 26.2%. 

What’s more, Monaco’s Vanderson boasts a better cross success rate (25.4%), albeit from fewer crosses per 90 (2.6) in Ligue 1 this season. In truth, the Brazilian’s attacking numbers aren’t as impressive as Frimpong, yet it’s defensive qualities that do stand out. Should Slot opt for a right-back who is far better off the ball, then interest in Vanderson does make sense. 

Not only does the Brazilian excel in the final third, but he’s proven incredibly difficult to bypass in Ligue 1 this season. Indeed, Vanderson is averaging 3.4 tackles per 90 with a tackle success rate of 80.9%, both of which are better than both Frimpong (1.3 and 71.7%) and Alexander-Arnold (2.7 and 56.3%). A criticism of the latter has so often been his defensive shortcomings, which would be addressed with the addition of Frimpong, or Vanderson. 

With Bradley a more than capable attacking full-back, Slot may look to Vanderson as they defensive alternative for matches when Liverpool would be expected to play on the backfoot. In truth, given Frimpong’s versatility – he has played at wing-back and as the right winger in a 4-2-3-1 system this season – a move for both the Dutchman and the Brazilian perhaps makes sense. 

That way, Liverpool can look to shift the injury-prone Federico Chiesa off the books while using Frimpong as cover and competition for Mohamed Salah when needs must, and have a more defensive full-back option in Vanderson. You can be sure, though, that Liverpool won’t sanction a transfer for a Trent successor without scouring the market. They need to get this signing right.