Dietmar Hamann believes that Liverpool are already missing the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold following his free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer. The Reds brought in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Alexander-Arnold but the Dutch full-back has been laid low with an injury at the start of the new season.
Hamann claims Reds miss TrentFrimpong out injuredTrent to return to Anfield in UCLFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Frimpong lasted just 60 minutes on the pitch in Liverpool's season opener against Bournemouth as he picked up a hamstring injury, and missed their next two league matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal. In the Dutch defender's absence, Arne Slot has deployed Dominik Szoboszlai as a make-shift full-back. The Hungarian has done fairly well in the unfamiliar position, and he even scored a world-class winner against the Gunners last weekend.
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Despite Szoboszlai's exploits, Hamann feels that Liverpool are missing the presence of Alexander-Arnold on the pitch, and has hailed the Englishman as a "tremendous player". The German also urged Liverpool fans to give the defender a "hero's welcome" when Madrid visit Anfield for their Champions League league phase clash next month.
WHAT HAMANN SAID
Speaking to , the 52-year-old said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold will get a mixed reaction due to the way he left the club. I hope he receives a good reception. I think he deserves a hero's welcome. He was loved by the city, gave everything for 10 years, and never cost the club a penny, despite leaving on a free. He's been a tremendous player.
"In the first couple of games, people are reluctant to admit it because many are upset about his departure, but Liverpool miss him. He was a playmaker from the right-back position. While Dominik Szoboszlai can now fill that role, players like Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley aren't the same. I believe there will be times when people realise they miss him, and that's why he should get a hero's reception. I fear he won't, but I wish he does."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?
Despite starting in two out of Los Blancos' first three La Liga matches, Alexander-Arnold faced a snub from Thomas Tuchel, who picked his England squad for the latest World Cup qualifiers without the 26-year-old. The defender will be back in action for Madrid on September 13 as Xabi Alonso's side face Real Sociedad in La Liga.