Arne Slot reserved special praise for Jeremie Frimpong after back-to-back assists on his return for Liverpool, with the right-back “crucial” to beating low blocks.
Frimpong came off the bench to set up Hugo Ekitike‘s winner against Tottenham before providing another assist on his first start in two months against Wolves on Saturday.
It came with a stunning burst of pace from the Dutch right-back, surging past challenges to the byline before cutting back for Ryan Gravenberch to finish into the bottom corner.
Arne Slot on Jeremie Frimpong: “Important and Crucial”
Back-to-back assists: Jeremie Frimpong followed his Spurs cameo with a vital assist on his first start in two months.
Low-block solution: Slot hailed Frimpong’s “crucial” pace as the primary tool needed to break down rigid, deep-lying defences.
Individual brilliance: The opening goal was credited to Frimpong’s “pure individual ability” and rapid cut-back for Ryan Gravenberch.
That was Liverpool’s first shot on target as they found themselves frustrated by another low block – and in his post-match press conference, Slot hailed Frimpong’s speed as “crucial” to beating rigid defences.
“If he’s fit, he can definitely helps us, because last week he had the assist against Tottenham and today he had a great assist against Wolves,” the head coach explained.
“Pace, that’s what he has, and that’s so important and crucial in modern football.
“To create something against a low block, teams that defend with so many players, usually teams break this down with set-pieces – that’s not our biggest strength.
“So to have him available with his pace, because the first goal we scored was pure individual ability: quick, bam-bam, and the cutback cross.
“OK we were positioned in the right position, but that’s the pace I always wanted to bring in in the summer.
“That’s what we did with Hugo, that’s what we did with Jeremie and with Alex as well, but unfortunately not all of the money we spent we have used.”
Arne Slot: Why Liverpool spending has not paid off yet
Frimpong was the first signing of a busy summer for Liverpool which promised much but has so far struggled to deliver, with only Ekitike and more lately Florian Wirtz hitting the heights many expected.
But as Slot continued, he used Frimpong as a prime example of what has been missing due to the injuries suffered by those brought in.
“I think a lot has been said, by so many people and me included, about the amount of money we spent last summer,” he told reporters.
“No one talks about what we recouped, because we sold so many.
“But from the players we bought, we unfortunately couldn’t see the best from Alex, Giovanni Leoni has been injured after his first game and Jeremie Frimpong has hardly been available as well.
“We were not always able to use the players we’ve brought in. Jeremie is a great example.”
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