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Jamie Redknapp has claimed he is not surprised Liverpool has struggled with the change of personnel at right-back this season following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold over the summer.
The Liverpool academy graduate ended his 20-year association with the club when he chose to join Real Madrid at the end of last season, meaning that for the first time in nearly a decade, the Reds have been forced to find a new first-choice right-back.
Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai have been deployed in that role, with varying degrees of success. All three have endured difficult moments defensively, while Mohamed Salah’s form has suffered without his regular partner on the right flank.
Speaking ahead of the Manchester United clash on Sunday, Redknapp backed Arne Slot to find the solution and was keen to highlight the season is still very much in its infancy.
“Yeah, but that goes without saying; he's such a talent,” the former midfielder said on Sky Sports, when asked if Liverpool is missing Alexander-Arnold’s creativity.
“When you look at the top of the assist league, it's always him. It's what he brought to the team. But he isn't here anymore, so you have to now adjust.
“The right-backs that have come in, Conor hasn't really hit the ground running yet.
“Frimpong, I can't quite figure out. He played in a back three predominantly in Germany, and he feels like he looks lost at right-back, but he may be an option as a forward player. Hasn't quite happened.
“They’ve tried Szoboszlai. That probably feels the best fit, but if you asked him, does he want to play right-back, I'm sure the answer would be no. He wants to play as a no.10, no,8, that's his position.
“So right now it's just trying to find the right balance in the team, but they will get there. This is their eighth game this season in the Premier League.
“They're going to find their way, we are so quick to judge, but, they do need to pick up some performances soon.
“This is a really good game for them today,” Redknapp added, on the United game. “This is one where it can all change around, and then we can start talking about the positives about a lot of these players.”
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to return to the Real side in time for the Champions League encounter against Liverpool next month.
The 27-year-old has struggled with an injury in recent weeks, but posted an update of him stepping up his progress over the international break.
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