Jeremie Frimpong’s Liverpool career could be about to take an interesting turn.
According to Sky Sports News, the Dutch international is expected to be used in a more advanced role by Andoni Iraola, while summer signing Víctor Muñoz is also capable of operating on the right-hand side.
If that proves to be the case, it could be exactly what Frimpong needs.
A Difficult First Season
Frimpong arrived at Anfield with huge expectations.
His attacking numbers at Bayer Leverkusen suggested Liverpool had signed one of Europe’s most exciting wing-backs.
However, adapting to life as a traditional Premier League right-back proved more difficult than many anticipated.
While there were flashes of his attacking quality, questions remained over his defensive positioning and ability to cope with the physical demands of defending one-on-one against elite wingers.
As a result, many supporters felt he never truly looked comfortable in the role.
A More Natural Position
Moving Frimpong further forward could allow Liverpool to maximise his biggest strengths.
He has always been at his best when:
● Running directly at defenders
● Attacking space behind the back line
● Combining in wide areas
● Delivering crosses into the box
● Pressing aggressively high up the pitch
Those qualities are arguably better suited to a winger or wide forward than a conventional full-back.
Rather than asking Frimpong to defend deep for long periods, Iraola could allow him to focus on what he does best—causing problems in the final third.
Iraola’s System Could Suit Him
One of the defining features of Andoni Iraola’s football is its flexibility.
Wide players are expected to press aggressively, attack with intensity and rotate positions throughout matches.
Frimpong’s pace and energy make him an excellent fit for that style.
If deployed higher up the pitch, he could become another dangerous outlet alongside Liverpool’s other attacking threats.
Opportunity for Víctor Muñoz
The report also mentions new signing Víctor Muñoz, who is capable of playing on the right.
That gives Iraola another tactical option.
Rather than relying on one specialist, Liverpool now have multiple players who can occupy that flank depending on the opposition and the game plan.
Competition for places should only improve standards across the squad.
Solving Two Problems at Once?
Interestingly, this tactical adjustment could solve two issues.
Liverpool gain more attacking quality by moving Frimpong into a role that better suits his attributes, while also reducing the defensive burden that occasionally exposed him last season.
It may also allow Conor Bradley to compete more naturally for the right-back position without forcing Frimpong into a role that doesn’t fully maximise his talents.
A Fresh Start
Pre-season has already shown that Iraola is not afraid to rethink how players are used.
If Frimpong does move into a more advanced position, supporters could finally see the version of the Dutchman that made him one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players.
Sometimes a player’s biggest improvement doesn’t come from improving their game.
It comes from playing in the position that suits them best.
For Jeremie Frimpong, that opportunity may finally have arrived.
Source: Sky Sports News
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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