Why £100k-a-Week Liverpool Star Could Become Richard Hughes’ Worst Signing🙈🙈
Richard Hughes’ time as Liverpool sporting director is coming to an end, and while the club have made several major investments during his tenure, one signing is already beginning to look like a costly mistake.Hughes arrived at Anfield in 2024 with the difficult task of helping Liverpool transition from the Jurgen Klopp era. Since then, the Reds have committed significant sums to strengthen the squad, including three £100m-plus deals over the past year.However, despite the spending, Liverpool still appear to have weaknesses in several key areas.The right flank remains a concern, while injuries to Hugo Ekitike have left Alexander Isak as the club’s only senior striker. Central midfield has once again been overlooked, and there are also questions over defensive depth with Virgil van Dijk approaching the final year of his contract.But perhaps the biggest concern is at right-back.Liverpool’s Right-Back ProblemLiverpool were spoiled for years with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson providing arguably the best full-back pairing in European football.Replacing them was always going to be difficult, but the Reds’ succession planning has not gone according to plan.Milos Kerkez has struggled to consistently reproduce his best form, while Kostas Tsimikas appears to represent a significant drop-off from the Robertson of previous seasons.The situation is even more concerning on the opposite flank.With Conor Bradley currently unavailable, Arne Slot’s successor, Andoni Iraola, has reportedly been forced to use Ronald Araujo at right-back.That decision says plenty about Jeremie Frimpong’s current position in the squad.Frimpong Has Struggled at LiverpoolFrimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £30m after playing a major role in their remarkable unbeaten 2023/24 campaign.Under Xabi Alonso, the Dutchman was one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking wing-backs. His pace, movement and ability to get into the final third made him a nightmare for opposing defenders.Unfortunately for Liverpool, that player has rarely been seen at Anfield.Frimpong has struggled to establish himself as either a convincing winger or a reliable traditional full-back.His attacking output has been underwhelming, with just four goals and assists so far this season, while his defensive performances have also raised questions.He has reportedly been dribbled past around once per Premier League game, highlighting one of the major concerns surrounding his suitability to play as a conventional right-back.A £100k-a-Week ProblemThe financial side makes the situation even more frustrating.Frimpong is reportedly earning around £100,000 per week, meaning Liverpool expected considerably more from a player who arrived with such a strong reputation.Of course, injuries and adaptation have played a part in his struggles, and it would be premature to completely write him off after only a relatively short spell at the club.However, reports that Frimpong could already be open to leaving Liverpool have added another layer to the situation.Barcelona are reportedly monitoring the Dutchman, with Frimpong said to be on their shortlist alongside Pedro Porro.Liverpool could reportedly be willing to listen to offers of around £35m.Could Frimpong Become Hughes’ Worst Signing?Selling Frimpong after only a year would represent a significant admission that the move has not worked as planned.Federico Chiesa is another signing who could be considered among Hughes’ biggest disappointments, particularly given how little he has featured. However, Liverpool only paid around £13m for the Italian, making the financial risk considerably smaller.Frimpong is a different situation.Liverpool spent close to £30m on him, handed him a sizeable contract and expected him to become an important part of the post-Alexander-Arnold era.Instead, the 25-year-old currently appears to be struggling for a clear role in Iraola’s team.If Liverpool really are prepared to sell him for around £35m after just one season, it would raise serious questions about the recruitment decision.For now, Frimpong still has time to turn things around.But unless his performances improve dramatically, the Dutchman could soon be remembered as Richard Hughes’ biggest recruitment mistake at Liverpool.
