Liverpool have invested heavily in their attack this summer, but there is one area of the squad that I still believe needs serious attention:
the full-back positions.
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are expected to play aggressive, high-intensity football, which makes having reliable full-backs absolutely crucial.
At the moment, I don’t think Liverpool have enough quality or depth in those positions.
Tsimikas is a downgrade on Robertson
Let’s start on the left.
Kostas Tsimikas has been a useful squad player for Liverpool, but if we’re being completely honest, he isn’t Andy Robertson.
Robertson gave Liverpool an extraordinary level of consistency for years. His energy, defensive aggression, overlapping runs and delivery were fundamental to the way the Reds played.
If Robertson is no longer the first-choice option, Liverpool need to make sure the position doesn’t become a weakness.
Milos Kerkez looks like an exciting signing and has the potential to establish himself as the long-term left-back.
But that brings us to the next problem.
Kerkez needs genuine competition
Kerkez shouldn’t be guaranteed his place simply because Liverpool paid a significant fee for him.
He needs competition.
He needs somebody capable of pushing him, rotating with him and taking his place when his performances aren’t good enough.
That’s particularly important under Iraola.
His football is demanding. Full-backs are going to have to run, attack, defend large spaces and maintain their intensity throughout matches.
Having only one natural option in whom you completely trust is dangerous.
Liverpool need two high-quality left-backs, not one starter and a player who is simply there as cover.
The right-back situation worries me too
Then we have the other side.
Conor Bradley is an excellent young footballer, but his injury record is becoming a concern.
Liverpool simply cannot go into a season competing on multiple fronts assuming Bradley will be available for every important game.
He needs competition too.
And then there is Jeremie Frimpong.
There is absolutely no doubt about his attacking ability.
He’s explosive, incredibly quick and capable of causing serious problems going forward.
But let’s be honest:
Frimpong isn’t a traditional defender.
He’s at his best when he’s attacking.
That can be an incredible weapon for Iraola, but it can also leave Liverpool vulnerable defensively if the system isn’t perfectly balanced.
We’ve already seen how Liverpool can struggle when their full-backs push forward and possession is lost.
And then there’s Joe Gomez
Gomez is another player who makes sense as an option because of his versatility.
He can play centre-back and full-back and, when fit, can be extremely valuable.
The problem is the two words Liverpool supporters have heard far too often:
when fit.
Liverpool cannot build their entire defensive depth around a player who has struggled to maintain consistent availability.
He can be an important squad member.
But he shouldn’t be the answer to Liverpool’s full-back problems.
Iraola needs reliable options
This becomes even more important because of the football Iraola wants to play.
Liverpool are going to press.
They’re going to attack.
They’re going to push numbers forward.
They’re going to ask their full-backs to cover huge amounts of ground.
That means rotation isn’t a luxury.
It’s essential.
Liverpool could be competing in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.
There could be two or three matches every week.
You cannot expect Kerkez, Frimpong and Bradley to play almost every minute.
Liverpool need to act
The frustrating thing is that Liverpool have already spent so much money improving other areas of the squad.
The attack is looking incredibly exciting.
The midfield has plenty of quality.
The centre-back situation has been addressed with new additions including Ronald Araújo and Jérémy Jacquet.
Yet the full-back positions still leave me concerned.
Liverpool’s defensive depth has already been questioned this summer, with reports highlighting shortages across the back line.
And with Bradley’s fitness situation and Frimpong’s ability to be used further forward, the right side remains particularly interesting.
The minimum I’d want
For me, Liverpool should be looking for:
One genuine left-back to compete with Kerkez.
One right-back who can genuinely challenge Frimpong and Bradley.
That would completely change the situation.
Suddenly Iraola could rotate without dramatically weakening the team.
He could rest Kerkez.
He could give Frimpong a game further forward.
He could protect Bradley.
And he wouldn’t have to rely on Gomez being available every week.
The attack could be brilliant — but don’t leave the defence short
That’s the biggest concern for me.
Liverpool could be one of the most exciting attacking teams in the Premier League under Iraola.
Wirtz.
Isak.
Barcola, if signed.
Gakpo.
Chiesa.
Ngumoha.
The possibilities are incredible.
But if Liverpool don’t give Iraola enough quality at full-back, they could be creating a fantastic attacking team with a structural weakness behind it.
Kerkez needs competition.
Bradley needs competition.
Frimpong needs defensive support.
And Gomez cannot be relied upon to stay fit.
Liverpool have already started rebuilding their defence.
But I don’t think the job is finished.
If this is going to be a new era at Anfield, the full-back positions need to be part of that rebuild too.
Jamie (The Kopite View)