Paul Merson believes Liverpool signing will cause problems for Mo Salah after ‘worrying’ display

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Liverpool have undergone major surgery on the Premier League title-winning side throughout the summer transfer window.

Arne Slot won the Reds’ 20th league title at the first time of asking at Anfield despite Federico Chiesa’s arrival, standing as the only addition to the side the Dutchman inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

The strategy has since shifted, and as TBR Football understands, Giovanni Leoni is expected to sign a six-year deal at Liverpool once he passes a medical; the Reds’ spending will surpass the £280 million mark.

Richard Hughes has moved to plug the holes across the Liverpool squad with star-studded signings and reaped the rewards of his efforts after Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike dazzled at Wembley on Sunday.

However, one summer addition is not filling Paul Merson with confidence as the new Premier League season approaches.

Paul Merson believes Jeremie Frimpong will be a problem

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson expressed his concerns about Mohamed Salah’s performance in the Community Shield and how well he and Jeremie Frimpong will work alongside each other this season.

“It was a bit of a worrying performance from Salah at Wembley. I don’t think I’ve seen a player play that badly before in a football match.

“But that can be Salah. He can go missing for a few weeks before going on a run of scoring in 10 matches on the trot or smashing in a hat-trick.

“One thing that might be difficult for him this season is playing in front of Jeremie Frimpong. Compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s more like an attacking winger. With Trent, Salah could make any run, and he’d be picked out. Trent would also attract defenders, leaving Salah more space. Trent could destroy you himself.”

Frimpong left Ally McCoist in awe after the defender opened his Liverpool account at Wembley, leaving Dean Henderson flat-footed as his cross lobbed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Furthermore, Wayne Rooney believes Frimpong will be Liverpool’s most important signing this season, placing him above the likes of Wirtz and Ekitike and even fellow full-back signing Milos Kerkez.

Comparisons with Trent Alexander-Arnold are natural considering the Dutchman has replaced him at Anfield, but the profiles of the pair could not be more different.

Jeremie Frimpong can fill the Trent Alexander-Arnold void

The 24-year-old does not need to display the same level of passing ability Trent showcased across his Liverpool career; the creative void the Scouser leaves behind can be filled by the likes of Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister.

However, he is more than capable of making a recognisable impact at the business end of the pitch, having registered double-digit goal contributions across his final three years in Germany.

He will aid Salah on the right flank, which in turn will allow the Egyptian to operate more centrally and exert his usual influence against the opposition.

Cody Gakpo lauded Frimpong’s speed, which will help the full-back track back and help the defence when he is caught further up the pitch, unlike Trent, who was caught far too many times last season jogging back during opposition counterattacks.

Frimpong will carve his own legacy at Anfield; he does not need to fill the boots of his predecessor but merely needs to show an unwavering work rate that has been severely lacking on the right-hand side of the pitch.