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New Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong is gearing up for a tussle to cement his spot in Arne Slot's first XI.
That's according to former Reds full-back Glen Johnson, who reckons Conor Bradley will be breathing down the neck of the fresh recruit. Frimpong, 24, made the leap to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen as the club's first summer signing, inking a five-year deal after his buyout clause was triggered.
His transfer was announced concurrently with Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid, positioning Slot with an immediate successor at right-back. However, amidst the buzz surrounding Frimpong's arrival, it's easy to forget that Liverpool already has a talented star in the same position, eager to step into Alexander-Arnold's shoes.
Johnson is certain that Bradley won't give up his place easily, having played a part in the team's Premier League triumph last term.
"I've seen Frimpong play a few times. Obviously, he likes to get forward, he'll be a good player that can help push and develop with Conor Bradley," he told the Liverpool ECHO, via 888sport.
"Who will start the season, we don't know, but it's just good to always have two good players that are probably both capable of being in the XI."
Bradley, now 22, notched up 29 outings in all competitions last campaign, featuring in 19 league matches, though only starting in seven. He chalked up four assists, persuading many fans that he's ripe for a consistent berth in the starting lineup.
Slot's decision to sign Dutch international Frimpong clearly shows an intent to stir up competition for the right-back spot. However, Johnson, who celebrated League Cup glory with Liverpool in 2012, reckons this doesn't mean Bradley is set for a permanent bench role.
"Liverpool themselves don't care who it is, they just want the best one in that position," he continued. "But like I say, I think Conor Bradley fully deserves to start with a shirt from what he's done already in the Premier League.
"But at the same time, you always need to push the players, you can't just assume you're only one injury away from missing out.
"So, if players are available and it's a deal that suits Liverpool, they have to do it. And it's now for Conor to fight and win that position and make sure he is still the No. 1."
Frimpong, who has been turning heads with his pre-season performances, boasts four seasons of Bundesliga experience and has twice been named in the official Team of the Season.
Last term, he notched five goals and laid on 12 assists across 48 matches, building on a previous season where he contributed to 14 goals and 12 assists during Leverkusen's championship-winning campaign.
The stats hint that the Amsterdam-born talent might eventually take over as Liverpool's premier right-back. Yet, Johnson's insight suggests that having such competition could be beneficial for Bradley's progression at this juncture of his career.
It's worth mentioning that there could be chances for both players to make the starting eleven together. Frimpong has gained experience in more forward roles under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, while Bradley has been deployed as a winger for Northern Ireland.
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