The night at Anfield was supposed to be another routine step forward in what has already been a dream start to Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot. The Carabao Cup third-round clash against Championship side Southampton looked, on paper, like a chance for Liverpool’s new manager to rotate his squad, give opportunities to fringe players, and still sail comfortably into the next round. The stadium was alive with expectation, the fans ready to enjoy another victory, but what unfolded on the pitch turned into one of the most dramatic and controversial games of the season so far.
Liverpool did win the match. They defeated Southampton 2-1, with goals from Alexander Isak and late substitute Hugo Ekitike. The scoreboard at full-time showed progression, but behind the numbers there was chaos, frustration, and a performance that left pundits, fans, and even players questioning the depth and readiness of certain individuals in the squad. One man, in particular, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons – Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong, who only joined Liverpool in the summer from Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile transfer, was expected to come in and bring fresh energy, pace, and attacking dynamism to the right-back position. He was seen by many as the long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose role under Arne Slot has shifted more into midfield creativity and tactical fluidity. Instead, Frimpong’s display against Southampton quickly turned into a nightmare, the kind of night every footballer dreads.
Tim Sherwood, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, did not hold back in his assessment. He was blunt, harsh, and brutally honest. He said live on air: *“Frimpong is having the worst game you can ever imagine.”* Those words echoed across social media within minutes, with fans clipping the moment, sharing it, and adding their own angry takes. For Frimpong, this was supposed to be a night to prove himself. Instead, it became an evening of embarrassment.
The match itself had moments that summed up the chaos perfectly. In the first half, Southampton nearly took the lead. Adam Armstrong’s shot crashed against the bar, the rebound fell kindly to Leo Scienza, but he somehow headed wide from close range. Just 36 seconds later, Liverpool punished them, with Alexander Isak finally breaking the deadlock after being anonymous for much of the game. That moment of luck saved Liverpool from going behind, but it highlighted how fragile and unbalanced they looked, especially on the right-hand side where Frimpong was struggling.
Arne Slot had made 11 changes to his starting lineup. It was a bold move, but also a statement of belief in the depth of his squad. Players like Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, and Isak were mixed with summer arrivals and youngsters. On paper, it was still a side strong enough to handle Southampton, but in reality, it was disjointed. The midfield lacked control, the defence looked shaky, and the attacking play had no rhythm.
Frimpong was at the heart of the criticism. His passing was off, his positioning was questionable, and his usual pace and confidence on the ball seemed to vanish under the lights of Anfield. Every time Southampton attacked his flank, there was a sense of danger. Sherwood wasn’t the only one frustrated. Fans in the stadium could be heard groaning when Frimpong misplaced another simple ball or lost his man defensively. The pressure was mounting, and it was clear this was not the debut Carabao Cup performance he had dreamed of.
The situation is made even more complicated by the rise of Conor Bradley. The young right-back, who has been given more opportunities under Arne Slot, has impressed with his energy, consistency, and fearless approach. Bradley was originally seen as a backup option, a player for the future, but his recent performances have suddenly made him a genuine competitor for that right-back spot. Slot now faces a dilemma – does he trust his expensive new signing, or does he reward Bradley’s form and hunger?
Frimpong’s stats at Bayer Leverkusen painted the picture of a player ready for the big stage. Across 190 appearances, he registered 30 goals and 44 assists, numbers that are extraordinary for a full-back. He was dynamic, explosive, and often unplayable in the Bundesliga. But the Premier League is a different beast, and Anfield has a way of magnifying both brilliance and mistakes. Against Southampton, it was the mistakes that stood out, and Sherwood’s ruthless words only amplified the humiliation.
What made the night even more dramatic was Hugo Ekitike’s late goal. Coming off the bench, he scored what looked like the clincher, only to rip his shirt off in celebration and immediately be shown a second yellow card. The sight of a goalscorer being sent off moments after securing victory summed up the chaos of the evening. It was a win, yes, but it was messy, frustrating, and full of storylines that overshadowed the simple fact that Liverpool were through to the next round.
Arne Slot was seen applauding the fans after full-time, perhaps acknowledging that they had been the ones to keep the energy alive when the performance on the pitch was flat. He knows his team is still a work in progress. He knows that bedding in new signings like Frimpong will take time. But he will also know that the Premier League is ruthless, and the fans will not wait forever for players to adapt.
For Frimpong, this could be a turning point. Every player has a bad game, but not every player has their bad game dissected so publicly by pundits and watched by millions. The question now is how he responds. Will he let this criticism crush his confidence, or will he use it as fuel to bounce back stronger?
Liverpool’s perfect record in the Premier League and their victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League show that Slot’s project is on track. But the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton was a reminder that success is not built on eleven players alone. Squad depth, competition for places, and the ability to step up when called upon will define whether Liverpool can truly fight on all fronts.
The right-back battle between Frimpong and Bradley could become one of the defining storylines of Slot’s first season. Trent Alexander-Arnold may now be more of a midfielder in Slot’s system, but the team still needs a consistent and reliable figure on that flank. If Frimpong doesn’t find his form quickly, he may discover that the starting role he thought was his will slip away to the younger, hungrier Bradley.
Fans are divided. Some say Frimpong needs time and patience, pointing to his excellent record in Germany and reminding everyone that adjusting to a new league can take months. Others argue that a player signed for big money should be performing immediately, especially when wearing the red shirt of Liverpool at Anfield. Social media is filled with debates, with clips of Frimpong’s misplaced passes being shared alongside reminders of his brilliance at Leverkusen. It is a debate that will not die down anytime soon.
Tim Sherwood’s words will sting. To be told you had “the worst game you can ever imagine” is brutal. But football has a way of offering redemption quickly. The next match against Crystal Palace could be his chance to silence the critics, to show that one bad game does not define him. Slot will have a big decision to make – does he give Frimpong another opportunity, or does he protect him by keeping him out of the firing line?
Either way, the story of Jeremie Frimpong at Liverpool is only just beginning. One bad night does not end a career, but it can shape it. The pressure is now on him to prove that he is not just another expensive signing but a player who can truly help Liverpool fight for trophies.
The Southampton match will be remembered for the chaos of Ekitike’s red card, for the nervy moments that almost cost Liverpool, and for the brilliance of Isak’s goal. But above all, it will be remembered as the night when Jeremie Frimpong’s Liverpool career truly began – not with glory, but with criticism, doubt, and the challenge to rise above it.
