After talk of a late move for Denzel Dumfries was played down this weekend, Liverpool look likely to stick with their current options at right-back.
Unbelievably, those options number zero right now, with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley nursing injuries.
Nevertheless, Arne Slot does have several choices to pick between, ranging from Wataru Endo, who did well against Qarabag in midweek, to Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.
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Who should be Liverpool’s starting right-back now Jeremie Frimpong is injured?
He could be missing for some time…
Wataru Endo pictured while playing for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/James Gill - Danehouse).
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro (Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency).
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their FA Cup match against Barnsley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Photo Agency/Liverpool FC
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While it will likely be one of that trio who takes up the spot against Newcastle on Saturday night, Slot might also consider the candidacy of Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa may be hugely popular among Liverpool supporters, but the Italian has never managed to fully make his mark on Slot’s starting XI. Fast, tenacious and ever willing to do his bit for the team, he should be a surprise option at full-back.
Federico Chiesa could easily play right-back
Liverpool supporters would clearly rather their team dip into the transfer market than rely on playing midfielders and attackers at right-back, but this is where we are.
Dumfries seems highly unlikely to join immediately, and although the Dutchman could be a potential candidate for a summer arrival, fans will have to make peace with the fact that the cavalry is not coming.
Federico Chiesa points and laughs as he warms up ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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It is in these kinds of times where managers sometimes stumble upon unexpected solutions, though, and in Chiesa Slot really could have one.
The 28-year-old obviously does not feature in his head coach’s long-term plans in attack and despite his very best efforts that does not look likely to change anytime soon.
Instead, Chiesa could make himself important by switching positions and accepting that he might have to do something a little unpalatable to get into the team. If James Milner can do it, then Chiesa can too. Playing full-back in this Liverpool team is a little like playing a reduced role of winger anyway, and that is something it would be fascinating to see him try.
Who could be Liverpool’s short-term right-back transfer fix?
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watches from the stands as the Reds take on Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
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Chiesa can help get the best out of Mohamed Salah
Slot spoke about the struggle Mohamed Salah has had in trying to play with a different right-back for big chunks of the season ahead of the game against Newcastle.
While Chiesa would be another one for him to get used to, it could be that playing with a naturally attacking player could really help Salah.
Chiesa has shown that he is willing to chase back towards his own goal plenty of times, so that should not be a problem, but on the right side he would be more inclined to go down the outside with Salah cutting in.
Much more used to playing centrally, Endo, Szoboszlai and Jones are not the kind of players who will hug the touchline while playing right-back. Chiesa is.
Given his reticence to throw his No. 14 in, it seems unlikely that Slot will lean on him in a new role either. But he is under pressure from the fanbase right now, and in getting one of their favourite players onto the pitch, he could win some goodwill back by making this decision. At this point, what do Liverpool really have to lose?
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