Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot is still fresh, still finding its rhythm, still trying to create a heartbeat that matches the traditions and expectations of Anfield. And yet, in the middle of the noise, in the middle of the chaos after the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace, there is a story that is quietly becoming one of the brightest lights in Liverpool’s summer. That story is Jeremie Frimpong. The 24-year-old Dutchman, signed for £29 million in a deal that many called a steal, has already begun to show why Liverpool fans should be excited, why the club might have found their next game-changing winger, and why this could be one of the smartest transfers the Reds have made in years.
The mood around Liverpool right after the Community Shield was a mixture of disappointment, debate, and the usual rush of opinions. Social media was flooded with reactions, some calling for changes, some questioning tactics, and some blaming individuals. It’s the way football works now — one bad result and the noise is deafening. But within that noise, there are always truths hidden between the lines, moments that show the bigger picture. Yes, Liverpool lost, but Liverpool also learned. And perhaps the biggest lesson was that Frimpong is not here just to play as a right-back. He is here to be a weapon. He is here to be a star.
From the very start of the match, it was clear that Frimpong’s game is built for the Premier League. His pace is not just quick; it is electric. He does not just run past opponents — he burns them, forces them to turn their heads in panic, makes defenders feel like they are always half a step too slow. His goal in the match — yes, maybe it wasn’t the cleanest, maybe it carried a bit of fortune — still mattered in more ways than one. A debut goal at Wembley, in Liverpool colours, is the type of moment that players dream about. It is a stamp, a marker that says: I am here. I belong. I can make a difference.
What makes the goal even more significant is the way it came. Frimpong didn’t just stand in the right place; he made the right run. He saw the space, attacked it with conviction, and made sure he was there to finish the move. That kind of instinct is not something you can easily teach. It is something that comes naturally to players who have the mindset of attackers. And that’s where the conversation about Frimpong changes. Liverpool did not just buy a full-back. They bought a full-back who can play as a winger, who can take on defenders, who can score, who can change the game in the final third.
Pre-season already gave us hints. Slot tried him in advanced positions, letting him push higher, letting him combine with attackers. Against Palace, it became clear that this was not just an experiment — it was a genuine option. Mohamed Salah will be away at AFCON later this season, and Liverpool have struggled in past years to find someone who can fill that role effectively. Now, with Frimpong, they might finally have a solution. He has the speed, the dribbling, the aggression, and the confidence to take on that challenge.
And let’s talk about confidence — because Frimpong has it in abundance. Players making their debut in such a big match could easily play safe, avoid risks, just try not to make mistakes. But Frimpong was fearless. He took players on, made surging runs, fought for the ball, and tracked back when needed. None of Palace’s most dangerous moments came from his side of the pitch. That’s a big statement. It shows that he is not just about attack; he understands his defensive responsibilities too.
£29 million. In today’s market, that is almost unheard of for a player with this level of talent and versatility. Liverpool fans have seen big-money signings before, but value signings — the ones that turn out to be absolute steals — have always been a part of the club’s identity. Think of Andy Robertson from Hull City. Think of Joel Matip on a free. Frimpong could easily join that list. He is 24, entering his prime years, and already looking like someone who could be a cornerstone in Slot’s plans for years to come.
And what makes this deal even smarter is the timing. Liverpool’s right side has been built around Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold for years. But football evolves, players leave, systems change. Trent has been pushed into midfield roles at times, leaving a gap at right-back. Salah’s future is always in question during international breaks and with growing interest from other clubs. By signing Frimpong, Liverpool have covered two positions with one player. He can be the starting right-back when needed, he can push forward as a winger when the situation demands it, and he can rotate without the team losing balance.
Arne Slot has spoken about building a squad that is adaptable, that can change shapes and roles mid-game without losing fluidity. Frimpong is exactly that kind of player. Against Palace, there were moments where he started deep but ended up leading the press high up the pitch. There were moments where he switched with the winger, giving the opposition a completely different problem to deal with. That unpredictability is gold in modern football.
But beyond tactics and positioning, there’s something else that makes Frimpong special — his energy. Liverpool fans know what it’s like to have players who run for every ball, who make every sprint count, who lift the crowd with their intensity. That’s what made the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Luis Díaz fan favourites. Frimpong has that same spark. You can feel it. When he gets the ball, there’s a buzz in the stadium, a sense that something might happen.
And while the Community Shield is not the most important trophy, moments like this can set the tone for a player’s career at a club. Scoring on your debut, showing your fight, making the fans notice you — these are the foundations for building a connection with the supporters. Anfield will love him if he keeps playing like this.
Liverpool are still not done in the transfer market. Reports suggest a centre-back is on the way, and the Alexander Isak deal could still happen. If those moves go through, Liverpool will have even more firepower. But even without them, Frimpong has already given fans something to hold on to, something to get excited about.
This signing also says something about Liverpool’s recruitment under Richard Hughes and the club’s new sporting structure. It’s about finding players who can solve multiple problems at once. Frimpong solves the right-back depth issue. He solves the lack of right-wing cover for Salah. He adds pace, directness, and energy that the team lacked last season. And he does all this for a price that will look even cheaper in a year or two.
Liverpool have always been at their best when they have players who can play in more than one role. Think of James Milner, who could fill in anywhere. Think of Fabinho, who moved from midfield to defence when needed. Frimpong is cut from that same cloth, but with the added advantage of being a constant attacking threat.
The reaction from fans after he match was telling. While some complained about the result, many singled out Frimpong as a highlight, as a reason to feel positive. That’s not an easy thing to achieve on your debut, especially in a loss. But Frimpong did it. And that’s because football fans, more than anything, respond to effort, to energy, to players who play with their hearts.
The season ahead is long. here will be challenges. There will be matches where things don’t click. But if Frimpong continues on this path, he will not just be a useful signing — he will be a star. He will be the player who helps Liverpool transition into the post-Salah era without losing their edge on the right side. He will be the player who gives Slot the freedom to experiment with systems and rotations. He will be the player who makes £29 million look like daylight robbery.
It’s only one game, but sometimes one game is all it takes to see the potential. And right now, Liverpool fans have every reason to believe that Jeremie Frimpong is ready to be not just a right-back, not just a squad player, but a winger capable of terrorising Premier League defences. His story at Anfield has only just begun — but it’s already looking like it will be one worth watching.
