EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Manchester City captain Richard Dunne believes Liverpool duo Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are not the level the Reds need them to be at if they want to challenge for titles
Richard Dunne has given his verdict on Liverpool's full-backs
Richard Dunne has given his verdict on Liverpool's full-backs
Richard Dunne believes Liverpool full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are not good enough defensively for the Reds to challenge for titles.
Despite the excitement about both defenders, who were signed last summer during Arne Slot's time in charge of the Reds, both Frimpong and Kerkez have underwhelmed during their time so far at Anfield, with neither managing to get close to the lofty heights of full-back play Liverpool supporters enjoyed while watching Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson for nearly a decade.
Both Frimpong and Kerkez's style of game suits teams that want to utilize attacking full-backs, something which can leave Liverpool vulnerable to frequent counterattacks. The same could have been said about Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, but they operated with a much more solid midfield behind them, as well as a younger Virgil van Dijk.
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While Liverpool has used Ronald Araujo at right-back at times so far this season, his preferred position is at center-back. Dominik Szoboszlai also operated at right-back last season.
However, in terms of out-and-out full-backs, Frimpong and Kerkez, who worked under new Reds boss Andoni Iraiola during their time together at Bournemouth, are Liverpool's specialists, something which Dunne admits frightens him.
Speaking to Liverpool.com, via OLBG, Dunne said, "The problem they have is their full-backs, which I think everybody knows.
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool, Milos Kerkez of Liverpool celebrating 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique Marseille v Liverpool at the Stade Vélodrome on January 21, 2026 in Marseille France
Both Kerkez and Frimpong have been criticized for their performances for Liverpool
"The full-backs aren’t of the standard they need them to be, certainly defensively. There was hope that Kerkez might find the form he had under Iraola at Bournemouth, but that doesn’t seem to be the case."
The lack of defensive stability that either Frimpong or Kerkez provides Liverpool hurts their overall style of play, according to Dunne, who is also of the belief that the Reds remain far "too open at times."
"They’re too open at times, and that’s causing the problems," added Dunne.
"The midfield is not sitting, and Van Dijk is an outstanding player, but you don’t want to leave him isolated at the back too often because he’s probably not as quick as he used to be. That makes it a little bit more difficult."
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 26, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Kerkez and Frimpong signed for Liverpool last summer(Image: Getty Images)
For Liverpool to be able to compete for titles this season, the former Manchester City captain believes the Reds must add quality full-back depth when the transfer window opens in January, providing Iraola with more options.
"If they could have added a couple more full-backs, Liverpool would have benefited from that," said Dunne.
"But it is what it is at the moment, and I’m sure they’ll recognise that and try and fix it come January."