Jeremie Frimpong sends position message to Arne Slot and makes 'crazy' Liverpool admission

1 hour ago 26

Jeremie Frimpong has expressed his willingness to play any position for Liverpool, as long as it's out wide, confessing that playing for the Reds is a dream come true.

The Dutch international made the move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer after the Premier League champions triggered the $40 million (£29 million) release clause in his contract to bring him in from the Bundesliga.

The 25-year-old's initial half-season with Liverpool was disrupted by two separate hamstring injuries. However, since returning to the squad last month, the Dutchman has been in fine form, scoring and assisting regularly of late.

He set up the winning goal for Hugo Ekitike in his comeback match against Tottenham Hotspur, followed by additional assists against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham. He then scored his first Anfield goal against Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Since joining the Reds, Frimpong's playing time has been divided between right-back and right-wing, with the Dutchman being primarily used in a more forward role in recent weeks due to Mohamed Salah's absence during the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, with Salah due to return to Merseyside next week and Conor Bradley now sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, Frimpong is likely to be needed more at right-back.

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong is interviewed by Sky Sports

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong is interviewed by Sky Sports

He maintains that he's happy to play in either position and is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of his idols by playing for Liverpool, as he sets his sights on winning trophies with the Reds.

"I keep it to the side, don't put me in the middle! I cannot play midfield!" he said. "I've played right-back, right wing-back, right-wing.

"I always say to everyone that wherever I play, I play the same. Of course, if I play right-wing, I'm going to attack more. If I play right-back, I'm going to defend more. Right wing-back, you balance it.

"As long as I'm on the pitch, I'm going to give it my all and help my team. I trust my own abilities, I know what I can do.

"I love playing on the side. This is where I'm comfortable, this is where I can use my abilities, this is where the space is as well for me. This is what I like."

Jeremie Frimpong celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring against Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Jeremie Frimpong celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring against Barnsley in the FA Cup.

He added: "There's so many great players that have played for Liverpool. As a kid, you watch Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez... the list goes on that has played for Liverpool.

"And then obviously now you're here. It's crazy because... of course I knew I would play at the top with my ability. I always had that self-confidence.

"But when it actually hits you it's like, 'Oh, I'm actually here,' so that's what I meant about it's a privilege.

"You're playing for Liverpool, you know? It's really, really nice! It's every kid's dream. When you play FIFA, you pick Liverpool.

"It used to be Fernando Torres on that team, Xabi Alonso on that team. Now you go on FIFA now (and it's you). It's a surreal moment, it's really nice.

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong

"Liverpool's always been in the top three in the world. They've always been in Champions League finals, Premier League contenders, FA Cup... whatever competition, Liverpool is always there.

"Winning is the best feeling as a footballer. That feeling, it's indescribable. 'I've done it!' This is what makes you an established player, the consistency.

"I won everything at Celtic, I won everything at Leverkusen. I want to win everything at Liverpool. This is why I play football. I want to win all the competitions.

"You've got to believe. If you're a footballer, you have to believe. You don't just play football just to play. You believe that you can do things."

In addition, Frimpong also had high praise for his Liverpool and Netherlands captain, Virgil van Dijk, sharing what his fellow countryman told him after he finalized his move to the Reds last summer.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

"He's just a great person. We all know Virgil is a legend," he shared with Sky Sports. "It's a privilege to play next to him.

"I see him as a friend. He's such a nice person. When it's time to play football, Virgil is a leader. 100 per cent. Virgil has aura. Everyone knows that. Virgil is a leader. He is the captain, he motivates people.

"He said, when I first came, just cherish these moments. He said, 'Liverpool is a great club. The fans are going to love you, especially with your personality.'

"And it's a winning club. So he said, 'Cherish these moments because you're going to get a lot of big moments. This is what Liverpool do.'".

Read Entire Article