Press conferenceJeremie Frimpong: Life at Liverpool, Qarabag, Champions League aims and more
The Reds wrap up the league phase against Qarabag at Anfield on Wednesday night, knowing victory would guarantee a top-eight finish and avoid participation in the knockout round play-offs.
Frimpong previewed the matchday eight meeting with the Azerbaijani side by attending a press conference on Tuesday – see everything he had to say during it below...
On how he has settled in at the club...
I feel really good. Obviously I'm from Manchester, so to be back in the UK is really nice. To play for a team like Liverpool is really a privilege. I've got good teammates as well. I'm really happy where I am right now.
On playing in the Champions League...
Obviously everybody wants to play in the Champions League. The Champions League is one of the biggest competitions out there, so everybody wants to show what they've got in the Champions League. Obviously we're going to give it our all and hopefully we can get to where we want to get.
On Liverpool's season so far...
I think sometimes football is like this – sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't. Obviously we try our best every game but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. That's all I can say about the past results. But in the Champions League we're doing good, we're in a good position. If we win tomorrow, we can qualify to [the] Round of 16, so we're really focused on that.
On what would be considered success this season...
We're still in the FA Cup, we're still in the Champions League. So if we win the FA Cup and Champions League, we'll be really happy.
On whether joining Liverpool has been better than he expected...
One hundred per cent. I think it's been really nice playing for Liverpool. The first time seeing how the fans are was really, really amazing and playing at Anfield [was] really, really good as well. The Premier League, playing Premier League teams, is as I expected – they're really good. Even if you play the bottom team, they'll give you a challenge. It is what I've expected.
On the challenge of 'facing low blocks'...
For me, when I'm on the pitch I'm going to use my ability to the best. I think I'm pretty comfortable going one against one with players. I know what I can do to the opposition and I believe in my abilities. Of course, if you play a low block, you have to break through them somehow and if I can help with my ability, I will use it.
On the step up in intensity since arriving from Germany…
For me, the Premier League is the best league out there, but the Bundesliga is still a top, top league. But it has been a big difference, I think, in terms of playing against the teams. It's much more demanding, much more physical. It is different.
On the similarities between Liverpool this season and Bayer Leverkusen in 2024-25...
Of course, Liverpool are the reigning champions, everybody wants to beat us. It is normal in football, if you are a champion, people want to show that we can beat the champions. In a sense, it was similar to when I was at Leverkusen. When we were the champions, everyone wanted to beat you. It's football – that's what is beautiful about the sport. If you become champions, you're the bad guy!
On responding to the disappointment of the defeat at AFC Bournemouth on the weekend...
When it happens, it's really frustrating, really annoying – especially to lose a match like that in the last minute. A set-piece, throw-in, scruffy goal, so it was really, really frustrating. Obviously you can be angry on that day but then the next day you switch onto the next match. I think me and my teammates were focused on Qarabag.
On facing Qarabag when he was at Leverkusen...
This game was like a rollercoaster. I think we were two or three-nil down and then, of course, we managed to get back and I think we scored [in the] last minute. I know how good they are, I know they are Champions League level for sure from playing them with Leverkusen. I know it's not going to be an easy challenge tomorrow, so we've just got to be ready, got to be prepared and go out there and just give it our best.