Football
Is Jeremie Frimpong Liverpool’s ready-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Liverpool have acted swiftly to address the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, confirming the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as his successor.
Alexander-Arnold has been a mainstay on the right side of Liverpool’s defense for years, known for his pinpoint deliveries and playmaking abilities.
But with the England international sealing a high-profile move to Real Madrid after winning a second Premier League title with the Reds, the club wasted no time in finding a suitable replacement.
Frimpong, who had a €35 million release clause in his contract, was quickly secured as Liverpool moved decisively to bring him to Anfield.
The 24-year-old Dutchman becomes just the second outfield player signed under Arne Slot since his arrival, highlighting the club’s confidence in Frimpong’s potential to make an immediate impact.
Although he has made his name in Europe, Frimpong began his football journey in England. He joined Manchester City’s academy at age nine but eventually left without making a senior appearance.
A move to Celtic in 2019 proved pivotal, where he earned the club’s Young Player of the Year honors in a treble-winning season. His performances caught the eye of European clubs, and midway through his second campaign, he joined Leverkusen.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Frimpong flourished in a wing-back role. The switch to a back-three system allowed him to push higher up the pitch, utilizing his pace and dribbling to devastating effect.
He transitioned from a solid performer to a key offensive contributor, registering eight goals in Alonso’s first season and playing a major role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten league run and German Cup victory the following year.
Despite a slightly less dominant campaign this season, Frimpong still managed five goals and 12 assists across all competitions, helping his team qualify for the Champions League once again.
Comparisons between Frimpong and Alexander-Arnold are inevitable, though the two players approach the game differently.
Alexander-Arnold is known for orchestrating play from deeper areas, offering a creative presence in Liverpool’s buildup and delivering dangerous crosses from distance or set-pieces.
Frimpong, in contrast, operates much higher up the field and relies on his blistering speed and 1v1 skills to generate chances from wide areas. He’s more of a dynamic outlet than a deep-lying playmaker, which may necessitate tactical adjustments from Slot.
The Dutchman’s inclusion could influence how Liverpool deploys Mohamed Salah, who typically cuts inside from the right.
With Frimpong likely to push forward frequently, Salah might be encouraged to take on more central roles to create space and allow Frimpong to exploit the flank. Slot’s system will need to adapt to these shifts to ensure balance, particularly as Frimpong’s defensive reliability has been questioned in the past.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has often used him as a right winger instead of a full-back due to those concerns. However, if Slot can provide similar cover as Alexander-Arnold enjoyed, there’s every reason to believe Frimpong can excel in the role.
Liverpool’s summer business may not stop here. Reinforcements could arrive at left-back, where Andy Robertson’s long-held starting position may soon face serious competition. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a potential target.
At center-back, with Virgil van Dijk extending his stay, depth could still be added—Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, a young talent with a £50m release clause, is on the club’s radar.
In attack, the uncertain future of Darwin Nunez means a striker could also be on the agenda. While Alexander Isak may be financially out of reach, Hugo Ekitike has been linked as a more feasible option, with talks reportedly underway.
Despite the pressure of replacing a fan favorite and generational talent like Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong arrives with strong credentials, an exciting playing style, and a track record of success. At €35 million, he represents a calculated gamble with the potential to become a core part of Liverpool’s new era under Slot.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
-
Football2 months agoAntony scores another worldie with stunning free-kick vs ex-Man Utd team-mate
-
Football1 month agoGuardiola refuses to shake hands with Palace star as Man City boss makes his feelings clear at the final whistle
-
Football1 month agoLionel Messi involved in furious argument with referee after Inter Miami game
-
Football1 month agoMan Utd wonderkid dubbed ‘Next Yamal’ could snub Spain for England
-
Football1 month agoREVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham
-
Football2 months agoWatch Harry Maguire turn into Lamine Yamal as he humiliates Bilbao defender
-
Football1 month agoAmorim spotted with new plaster on his knuckles after half-time vs Bilbao
-
Football2 months agoMan Utd fans name two players who ‘can’t start’ in the Europa League final despite win vs Athletic Bilbao