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Liverpool’s downturn in form before the international break has been blamed on the Reds’ full-backs, with both Alan Shearer and Jamie Redknapp suggesting Arne Slot may have issues on either side of his defense.
Having sat five points clear at the top of the Premier League just a couple of weeks ago, Liverpool now finds itself a point behind Arsenal after a run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions.
There has been plenty of scrutiny on a lot players, with even Mohamed Salah unable to avoid questions over his place in the side, but it’s at right-back and left-back where there has been a lot of concern.
Slot has chopped and changed his right-back on a number of occasions already this season, with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and even Dominik Szoboszlai having played there so far.
Bradley has been given the nod in recent games, although the Northern Ireland international was hauled off at half-time against Chelsea after struggling against Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Cucurella.
The left-hand side has been more consistent, although Milos Kerkez has come in for some criticism for his performances, with Gary Neville calling him a “baby” after his display at Stamford Bridge.
More concerns were raised about Kerkez this weekend, despite him helping Hungary to a 2-0 win over Armenia in World Cup qualifying, with the media in his home country not offering a glowing review of his performance.
And Shearer thinks full-back is a major problem for Slot, with the former Newcastle and England striker even suggesting the Liverpool boss may have an issue with two of his players.
“Slot doesn't trust Frimpong yet at right-back,” he told Betfair. “He doesn't trust Conor Bradley, hence the reason he played Szoboszlai there.
“[Joe] Gomez was on the bench, and he put [Ryan] Gravenberch at center-back instead, and I guess the balance is all over the place at the moment. It's not just Mo Salah, it's down the left and right side.”
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Shearer’s view echoes that of Redknapp’s, with the former Liverpool captain having bemoaned the state of his old club’s full-backs recently, while suggesting the Reds are missing one of their summer departures.
"It's apparent, they're missing Trent [Alexander-Arnold], you look at how they're playing , since the Burnley game they've not played the same right-back, they've gone with Szoboszlai, Frimpong, and Conor Bradley today," Redknapp said after the defeat at Chelsea.
"Conor obviously had a difficult 45 minutes, he gets taken off, it's a problem area for them. Even at left-back, Kerkez looked like he was going to be a fantastic signing, he hasn't adjusted yet, for whatever reason.”
Slot will hope his full-backs can discover some form in time for Liverpool’s return to action next week. The Reds host Manchester United on October 19 as they look to end their losing streak, and put pressure on Arsenal in the title race.
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