The aftermath of Liverpool’s lavish £500m spending spree in the summer of 2025 continues to generate plenty of discussion at Anfield. While Andoni Iraola works to extract greater consistency from high-profile arrivals such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike, the club’s full-back recruitment strategy has come under particular scrutiny.

Neither Jeremie Frimpong nor Milos Kerkez have managed to properly establish themselves as seamless long-term successors to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. Kerkez has experienced a challenging start to his Liverpool career on the left, while Frimpong’s spell on Merseyside could already be nearing an early conclusion.

Jamie Carragher pulled no punches when he famously labeled that massive recruitment spree the worst transfer window in Premier League history.

Despite splashing out vast sums on marquee attackers like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike, the squad overhaul at full-back has proved particularly costly. Neither Jeremie Frimpong nor Milos Kerkez have looked anywhere near capable of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. Kerkez continues to struggle badly on the left flank, while Frimpong’s short-lived and frustrating time on Merseyside now appears to be heading for a sudden end.

Frimpong Proposed to Al-Hilal as Anfield Exit Looms

Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for around thirty million pounds to succeed Alexander-Arnold following the academy graduate’s bargain move to Real Madrid. However, the twenty-five-year-old Dutch international has failed completely to reproduce the sensational form that saw him score twenty-three goals in Germany.He always looked like a slightly uncomfortable fit for Liverpool’s system, and persistent injury issues have repeatedly destroyed any chance of him building momentum.

Reports from Arabic outlet WinWin reveal that intermediaries have now formally offered Frimpong to Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Hilal ahead of the January transfer window. Crucially, Frimpong himself feels completely open to starting a fresh chapter in the Middle East, despite holding a long-term contract at Anfield that runs until June 2030.

The move has a logical connection behind the scenes, as former Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who originally signed Frimpong eighteen months ago, now directs recruitment for Al-Hilal and stands ready to offer the defender a way out.

International Omission and Persistent Fitness Woes

Frimpong’s endless physical struggles have also completely wrecked his standing on the international stage. He suffered his latest muscle breakdown on October seventeenth just moments after coming on as a half-time substitute against Brentford.

Former Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman left him out of the 2026 World Cup squad due to performance and durability concerns, while current national team boss Xavi left him out of the latest squad for upcoming games against Greece and Germany.

Conor Bradley Injury Update and Araujo Loan Success

Adding to Frimpong’s uncertainty is the imminent return of Conor Bradley. The Northern Ireland international has spent over ten months on the sidelines recovering from severe bone and ligament damage in his left knee, an injury sustained during a league match at Arsenal back in January. Iraola recently confirmed that Bradley has finally returned to light training on the grass with the group, targeting a full first-team comeback before the end of November.

Furthermore, Barcelona loanee Ronald Araujo has stepped up brilliantly to fill the void on the right flank. Brought in on a season-long loan deal from Catalonia in August 2026, the Uruguayan international defender has provided the physicality and defensive strength Iraola demanded. Araujo’s versatility and tactical flexibility have shined at right-back, allowing Liverpool to maintain a solid defensive unit while Bradley finishes his rehabilitation.

Liverpool management retain total faith in Bradley as their ultimate long-term right-back, and with Araujo excelling in defensive duties, Frimpong has slipped even further down the pecking order. With Bradley nearing full match fitness and Araujo performing strongly, Liverpool feel fully prepared to let Frimpong depart when the transfer window opens.