{"id":1446269,"date":"2026-05-04T12:44:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T11:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1446269"},"modified":"2026-05-04T12:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T11:44:41","slug":"tactical-analysis-liverpool-right-back-issues","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-liverpool-right-back-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool analysis: Right-back problem laid bare in Sunday\u2019s defeat at Manchester United"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Liverpool headed to Old Trafford without a host of key names.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexander Isak joined an injury list that already included Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike. The Reds were also without Conor Bradley, who is expected to be sidelined until 2027 at the earliest, meaning Arne Slot had to rejig a few things for the clash with Manchester United.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dutchman had decisions to make. And he made them. Did he make the right decisions? The answer to that is subjective but with the reigning Premier League champions losing, it does appear as though the former Feyenoord boss got it wrong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-liverpool-transfer-plans-outlined\" data-level=\"3\">Liverpool transfer plans outlined<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-new-right-back-a-necessity-this-summer\" data-level=\"3\">New right-back a necessity this summer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-pedro-porro-the-answer\" data-level=\"3\">Pedro Porro the answer?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially in the first half. United raced into a 2-0 lead inside of 15 minutes and Bruno Fernandes missed a glorious chance to add a third before the half hour mark. The hosts had their visitors on the ropes and should\u2019ve had the game won before the half-time whistle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liverpool mounted a comeback in the second half, capitalising on two United mistakes to get back to 2-2 before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-manchester-united-vs-liverpool-03-05-26\/\">Kobbie Mainoo scored what turned out to be the winner<\/a>. And it was a deserved winner. Michael Carrick\u2019s side finished with an Expected Goals total of 2.8, significantly higher than the 0.87 the Reds carved out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slot\u2019s side may have dominated the ball, finishing with 61% possession, but United, for the most part, dominated the space. They limited the away side to nothing of note and just let them circulate sterile possession for the majority of the match.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-liverpool-transfer-plans-outlined\">Liverpool transfer plans outlined<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Liverpool have a lot of issues heading into the summer transfer window. A replacement for Mohamed Salah is needed. There\u2019s a feeling another left-sided attacker is required with Cody Gakpo struggling this term and Florian Wirtz not fitting in as a left-winger in a Slot system. The Reds also need to figure out how they manage the left-back situation with Andrew Robertson departing at the end of the campaign. But perhaps the biggest priority for Richard Hughes is figuring out what the plan is at right-back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/midnite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Midnite Offer<\/a>: Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>How to claim:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Open an account at Midnite using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/midnite?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Deposit \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more (minimum odds of 1\/1)<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive \u00a330 in free bets, valid for 7 days on selected betse only.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/midnite?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422505 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-1024x358.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-1024x358.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-768x268.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-400x140.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-572x200.png 572w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-172x60.png 172w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-150x52.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-40x14.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148.png 1499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>18+ New customers only. Place a \u00a310+ bet at min odds 1\/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get \u00a330 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&amp;Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Over recent weeks, Curtis Jones has been in possession of the position. At times this term, Dominik Szoboszlai has been forced into that role. Unless he has to, Slot has done everything to avoid Jeremie Frimpong being used there. It\u2019s a strange decision given Liverpool parted with \u00a330m to bring the one-time Celtic full-back in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. He was signed for his versatility too, but he was presented as a right-back option, battling it out for minutes with Bradley.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, whenever he\u2019s been fit, Frimpong has, largely, been used as a forward player. The only other senior right-back within the squad is Calvin Ramsay and he\u2019s watched on from the bench for the majority of the season, making just one start in the Carabao Cup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-right-back-a-necessity-this-summer\">New right-back a necessity this summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Slot seemingly doesn\u2019t trust Frimpong or Ramsay. As a result, he\u2019s having to use midfielders out of position while simultaneously weakening the middle third.\u00a0 This can\u2019t continue into the 2026\/27 campaign. And this is why a right-back is a must this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1446271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04122935\/FrimpongOne.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Having to invest in another right-back makes the decision to sign Frimpong a little more bewildering. He impressed for Bayer Leverkusen as a flying wing-back and the assumption was that he\u2019d be an attacking full-back for the Reds. He couldn\u2019t replace Alexander-Arnold\u2019s passing but he could help Liverpool replace their former No.66 in the aggregate. Frimpong was a progressive ball carrier. Let him funnel play down the right flank. It hasn\u2019t come to fruition though.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1446272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123005\/FrimpongTwo.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Frimpong was barely involved against Manchester United and when he was, it was apparent that he isn\u2019t an attacker. Most of his passes went backwards, he failed to complete a single take-on attempt and managed just one cross at Old Trafford.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s a \u00a330m problem for the current reigning champions. Not able to play right-back and a non-entity as a right-winger when starting. His lack of technical ability stands out like a sore thumb in the final third. Once his pace advantage is nullified, the opposition easily nullifies him.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Slot is having to go to great lengths to accommodate him. Jones played at right-back at Old Trafford and it meant Liverpool didn\u2019t have midfield depth on the bench and he\u2019s shown on multiple occasions that he\u2019s not eager to bring on youngster Trey Nyoni unless he <em>has<\/em> to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pedro-porro-the-answer\">Pedro Porro the answer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s 12 months too late but the Reds need to replace Alexander-Arnold this summer. If the build-up isn\u2019t changing, a ball-playing, game-breaking right-back is needed for this team to function effectively. There aren\u2019t many out there, but Pedro Porro ticks a number of boxes and has been tentatively linked.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1446273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/04123034\/PorroOne.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Signing a right-back makes or breaks Liverpool\u2019s 2026\/27 campaign. It\u2019s not an exaggeration either because with Jones likely to depart this summer, the Reds aren\u2019t blessed with options at full-back and it\u2019d mean Szoboszlai moonlights at right-back for a further 12 months, all while looking to negotiate a new deal.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool headed to Old Trafford without a host of key names. Alexander Isak joined an injury list that already included Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike. The Reds were also without Conor Bradley, who is expected to be sidelined until 2027 at the earliest, meaning Arne Slot had to rejig a few things for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3567,"featured_media":1446274,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Liverpool were exposed in defeat at Old Trafford, with Arne Slot facing big tactical questions and a major right-back issue ahead of the summer transfer window.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1446269","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Liverpool analysis: Right-back problem laid bare in Sunday\u2019s 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