Liverpool’s Full-Back Dilemma: What Happens Next?
Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the latest from Anfield. Liverpool is in a bit of a pickle this season — and it all seems to revolve around their full-backs, Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley. As Reds expert David Lynch points out, with the team struggling, particularly shown after a fourth consecutive loss to Manchester United, it’s clear that something’s got to give.
Both Kerkez and Bradley have been finding it tough to handle the pressures of playing out from the back. When you count on your full-backs to facilitate the build-up, and key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold are sidelined, the team often stumbles to get the ball to star attackers like Mohamed Salah at the right moments. Without that smooth transition, the team’s attacking game is left in a bit of a lurch.
Lynch suggests that Liverpool needs to make the addition of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace a priority come January, as it could be a game-changer. “It’s painfully obvious they needed to sign Guehi,” he states, stressing how much they’ve missed the progressive passing ability of both Trent and Andy Robertson. “If they don’t figure things out before the transfer window, they might find themselves out of the title race.”
This isn’t just about finding a body to fill the position; it’s about getting someone who really understands how to keep the ball moving. Guehi is known for his strong ball-playing abilities, and having him in the squad could ease some of the heavy lifting currently resting on Virgil van Dijk’s shoulders.
Now, let’s talk strategy. Alexander-Arnold has been temporarily replaced by Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, but the reality is that both of them shine best when they’re charging forward with the ball. The current setup just doesn’t give them that freedom. And it doesn’t end there — each player’s strengths are being underutilized. Kerkez, in particular, thrives higher up the pitch, while even Robertson, for all the criticism thrown his way, had a knack for playing the ball forward effectively.
Lynch also points out that, while the criticism of Kerkez and Bradley has been a bit much, the two are simply being miscast in their roles. He explains, “They’re being asked to do things they haven’t done throughout their careers. When you give them the ball deep and expect them to thread the needle with tricky passes, you’re setting them up for failure.”
Now, if you’ve been watching the games, you might have noticed that manager Arne Slot has been quite flexible with his choices in the backline. However, frequent changes can also signal frustration — and when you have a combined five yellow cards for your full-backs, it raises some eyebrows about their performances.
Looking forward, if Slot wants to challenge for the Premier League title, he might need to tweak his game plan, potentially benefiting both Kerkez and Bradley. For instance, midfielder Curtis Jones is known for his composure and high pass completion percentage — an eye-catching 90.5%. Could dropping him back into defense help bridge the gap?
Lynch floats another idea that might be worth exploring — the potential for Dominik Szoboszlai to step into the right-back role. “You might need to consider moving Szoboszlai deeper if you’re keen on keeping your midfield dynamic,” he suggests. It’s all about offering better passing options for defenders. After all, right now, we’re just lobbing it up the pitch and praying for a lucky bounce.
We’ve seen Szoboszlai fill in defensively against tough opponents like Arsenal and Chelsea, but with Jones often sidelined in favor of Alexis Mac Allister despite mixed performances, there’s a serious discussion to be had about balancing the squad.
In summation, there’s quite a bit to unpack for Liverpool moving forward. Fans are hopeful that with some strategic adjustments — both in tactics and potential player acquisitions — the team can regain its rhythm and make a push for the title. And who doesn’t love a good turnaround story? Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
If you’re curious and want to dive deeper into the conversation about Liverpool’s full-back issues, check out Lynch’s full discussion.
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