‘Nowhere near the first XI!’ – Liverpool told to drop Jeremie Frimpong as punishment for low standards and ‘giving the ball away’

Frimpong’s start to life at Liverpool has been far from smooth, with the high-profile summer signing struggling to replicate the form that made him a standout at Bayer Leverkusen. Having joined in a €35 million move to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, expectations were high that Frimpong’s explosive pace and attacking flair would translate seamlessly into Slot’s system.

However, the Dutch full-back has struggled to find rhythm, managing just 79 minutes across three Premier League appearances and failing to record a single goal or assist. His limited impact, coupled with growing defensive concerns, has led to mounting scrutiny over his role in Liverpool’s starting XI. Hutchison has now joined the critics, suggesting Frimpong should be benched until he regains both composure and consistency on the ball.

Hutchison made his feelings clear when analysing Liverpool’s defensive setup, insisting that Frimpong should make way for Conor Bradley. The former Everton and Sunderland midfielder didn’t hold back in his assessment, saying: “I’d have Bradley starting in the team now, absolutely. I don’t think Frimpong’s current standard gets him anywhere near the first XI for Liverpool. I’ve watched every Liverpool match I could so far this season, and in some matches like the Southampton game, he just kept giving the ball away. Simple passes were going stray, and his confidence is just starting to erode.

“He played right wing against Galatasaray, and I think that was Arne Slot experimenting for who steps in for Salah when he’s off at the Africa Cup of Nations. But he struggled then, too. I just think you’re looking at a young player who is struggling for form.

“When I watch Liverpool now, I see a team that is so out of sorts that they have to go back to basics. It needs to be Bradley at right-back. On the left, it’s harder to say. I still rate Andy Robertson but seeing him with his hands on his knees at Chelsea as Eestevao scored, I’d think he was a League Two player. I’d love to know what he was thinking when he was taking a breather then. On the left, toss a coin between Kerkez and Robertson, but Bradley has to be starting on the right.”

Frimpong’s rocky transition has been compounded by the tactical and physical demands of English football. Unlike his time in the Bundesliga, where Leverkusen’s system allowed him to operate as an attacking wing-back, Slot’s Liverpool side requires far more defensive discipline and positional awareness. The shift has exposed areas of his game that need refinement, with analysts pointing out lapses in tracking back, positioning during transitions, and misjudged passes under pressure.

In contrast, Bradley — who impressed during Liverpool’s injury-hit campaign last year — has shown a more balanced mix of defensive resilience and attacking intelligence, strengthening Hutchison’s argument.

Meanwhile, Frimpong’s struggles also come at a time when Liverpool’s overall form has been inconsistent; the team has failed to find a settled rhythm in either domestic or European competition. Frimpong’s case appears to be part of a wider pattern of adjustment issues within Slot’s squad.

As Liverpool prepare for a crucial stretch of fixtures across the Premier League and Champions League, the question now turns to whether Slot will heed Hutchison’s advice. With Bradley pushing for more minutes and fans calling for a return to defensive basics, Frimpong could find himself temporarily sidelined as he regains form and confidence. Slot’s emphasis on tactical structure and discipline means performances will dictate selection, not reputation — a stance that could work both as a challenge and a motivator for the Dutchman.

Frimpong’s attacking instincts remain a valuable asset, but consistency will be the deciding factor in whether he cements his place long-term. With the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon and Mohamed Salah expected to miss matches, the coming weeks could be defining for both Liverpool’s right flank and Frimpong’s future role in the team.