“I can’t have that” – Jan Molby has felt short-changed by Liverpool player who ‘acts like a kid’

“You’ve got to be able to look after yourself, to be physical, to play, and I just can’t see in what world that what turns this [around] is Frimpong and his pace. I can’t have that.”

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

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Frimpong has flaws to his game, but is a hugely exciting talent

Molby isn’t the only pundit who’s recently been critical of the Liverpool right-back – Gabby Agbonlahor claimed that the signing ‘hasn’t worked’ and that the 25-year-old is ‘not good’ in either a defensive or an attacking sense.

Considering how exciting Frimpong can be going forward, and the goal contribution numbers he regularly put up at Bayer Leverkusen, a return of two goals and two assists in 31 games this season has felt underwhelming even when accounting for his injury problems.

His defensive work has also been called into question in recent months, with the Dutchman liable to be caught out of position on the counterattack given his propensity to attack, and there’s certainly an ideal balance to be found between those conflicting duties.

The right-back has room for improvement, but we feel that some of the criticism of him has been harsh. His energy and enterprise along the flank has been a welcome antidote to the often turgid play from Liverpool this term, and the injuries have prevented him from properly getting into a rhythm.

Frimpong is something of a rough diamond, but once those edges are smoothed out, we’re convinced that he’ll become an enormous asset to the Reds and a hugely influential player in Arne Slot’s line-up (so long as he stays fit).