Liverpool must regret their big decision not to sign a right-back in the January transfer window after Arne Slot was forced to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai in defence.
Liverpool have some big issues in defence at the moment, with Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, and Conor Bradley all out injured. The Merseyside club ended the January transfer window without signing a new right-back, with academy star Calvin Ramsay their current backup option behind Szoboszlai.
The Reds were in talks to sign Sunderland right-back Lutsharel Geertruida in the final days of the window, but they failed to get a deal over the line. The lack of activity in the winter market could come back to bite them as Arne Slot looks to push them back in the right direction following a disappointing start to the season.
Liverpool Must Regret Transfer Decision
dominik szoboszlai
Liverpool must regret their decision to not sign a right-back in the January transfer window, forcing Slot to deploy Szoboszlai at right-back against Manchester City. Journalist Miguel Delaney suggested that the Hungarian is 'wasted' there, and it's difficult to disagree.
Szoboszlai did score an absolutely stunning free-kick against Manchester City on Sunday, but that somewhat strengthens the argument, as he's a player who needs to be playing in more advanced areas. The former RB Leipzig man has been one of Liverpool's best players this season, but that's usually when he's allowed to play in his natural position.
Szoboszlai was also one of the players at fault for City's equalising goal, playing Bernardo Silva onside, before he was sent off in the final seconds. It's hard to overly blame Szoboszlai, considering he's not used to being in those positions at the back, but it's another reason why Liverpool needed to bring in a right-back during the January transfer window.
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Szoboszlai Not to Blame
dominik szoboszlai
Szboszlai is certainly not to blame for what happened against Man City, or the fact that he's forced to play at right-back at all. The blame needs to be aimed at the decision-makers at Anfield for failing to address a key position in the market.
Even if Frimpong didn't suffer an injury, the Dutch wide-man has been deployed further forward as a winger this season at times, as he's not a natural right-back. The former Bayer Leverkusen man is used to playing as a wing-back for his time in Germany, so Liverpool could be without a natural right-back for the rest of the season.