- Jeremie Frimpong sealed Liverpool move after his release clause was triggered.
- Rio Ferdinand believes the wing-back would have suited Amorim’s formation
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is Ruben Amorim too honest?
Rio Ferdinand says it ‘hurt’ to see Manchester United miss out on Jeremie Frimpong, claiming the right-back would have been an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim’s system.
Frimpong has become one of Europe’s most talked-about defenders under Xabi Alonso, playing a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double last season.
The right wing-back’s departure from Leverkusen was finalised on Friday after Liverpool activated his £29.5million release clause.
The 24-year-old has inked a five-year contract at Anfield and becomes their first summer signing.
Frimpong was previously linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Ferdinand believes he would have fit ‘perfectly’ into Amorim’s wing-back-focused system.
‘Frimpong is going to Liverpool which will hurt me a little bit, I’ve got to be honest,’ the former defender said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
Rio Ferdinand says it ‘hurt’ to see Manchester United miss out on Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong’s departure from Bayer Leverkusen was finalised after Liverpool activated his £29.5million release clause
Ferdinand says the 24-year-old would have fit ‘perfectly into Ruben Amorim’s system
‘I think he would fit the way that Ruben Amorim wants to play perfectly.’
Frimpong’s challenge is to fill the boots of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose move to Real Madrid was sealed on the same day.
‘It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer,’ Frimpong said. ‘For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’, [speaking to] my agents: ‘Just get this done.’
‘Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.
‘I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want.’
A product of the Manchester City academy, Frimpong moved to Celtic in 2019, where he quickly became a fan favourite and won a domestic treble in his first season.
He joined Leverkusen in January 2021 and has since developed into one of Europe’s most dynamic right-sided defenders.
A key attribute is his pace. He clocked 36.34kph this season, ranking him as the seventh-quickest player in the Bundesliga.
Frimpong has earned 12 senior caps for the Netherlands. He was part of the Dutch side which reached the semi-finals of the Euros, even assuming a more attacking role due to the competition at right-back with Denzel Dumfries and Lutsharel Geertruida.
