Liverpool’s summer overhaul has seen Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong replace the longstanding fullback duo Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With Robertson and Conor Bradley serving as competition for the new signings, how will Arne Slot’s setup differ?
Last season, Slot deployed his fullbacks more conventionally, refraining from overcommitting when in possession and preventing wide players from getting on the ball in transition.
With Robertson on the decline and Alexander-Arnold’s future uncertain, it proved a wise move by Slot not to rely too much on his swashbuckling duo last season.
A change of personnel naturally prompts a slight change in tactics, and if all goes to plan, the Reds have plenty of reason to get excited about how fullbacks will operate in Slot’s new system.
Right-back: Lightning quick and guile aplenty
It’s safe to say that Alexander-Arnold redefined what it meant to be a right back at Liverpool Football Club, and Jeremie Frimpong has shown that he is ready to bear the mantle.
Despite playing as an advanced right wingback in Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong is viewed as a right back at Liverpool.
However, a key difference from last season is where Frimpong is deployed when Liverpool are in possession.
Instead of patrolling the entire right flank, Frimpong is high and wide in the right channels, just behind Mohamed Salah.
Frimpong bestows new responsibilities upon Salah
Upon receiving the ball, Frimpong often drops his head before a sudden outburst of pace, a stark contrast to his predecessor.
His direct playstyle so high up the pitch resulted in 3.99 progressive dribbles per 90 minutes last season.
Frimpong’s ability to hold the width has also enabled Salah to operate in the half spaces previously occupied by Alexander-Arnold, most likely working alongside Florian Wirtz to create chances.
The Dutchman is also comfortable crossing the ball, evidenced during Liverpool's pre-season in Japan and while his defending could improve, his average of 6.34 tackles per 90 compliments the side’s pressing as the first line of defence.
Fully fit Bradley provides stiff competition
If there is one word Liverpool fans associate with Conor Bradley, it is energy.
The 22-year-old’s all-round play was a welcome sight at Anfield last season, averaging 26.4 off-ball runs in the Premier League.
Similar to Frimpong, Bradley can offer an option on the overlap, but what Slot will value more are his defensive attributes.
Bradley winning 50% of his ground duels, compared to Frimpong’s 35.1% and losing 50% while Frimpong lost 64.9% speaks to his more balanced nature at such a young age.
The Northern Irishman serves as the more conservative option of the two, but his injury history will worry Slot, and he will hope that this season will mark the end of his ‘growing pains’.
Left back: Changing of the guard prompts tactical tweak
Robertson’s struggles last season reiterated the desire for some new blood in the left back position, and with Milos Kerkez, Liverpool have found as good a replacement as any.
To his disdain, the Scotland captain only registered 11 assists over the past three seasons, compared to a total of 10 in the 2021/22 season.
A welcome invitation for Kerkez to show Anfield what they have been missing, one would assume, but it appears Slot has other plans for the left flank.
A recurring pattern over pre-season has been the left back tucking into a makeshift back three as the left centre-back in the first phase of build-up.
While the likes of Frimpong and Bradley get to thrive further forward, Kerkez has been plying his trade patiently playing out from the back.
Many Reds will be forgiven for expecting to see his explosive nature on the pitch, only to see him calmly evading the press, even with his back towards the opposition.
Speedy transitions key to unlocking Kerkez
The Hungarian has not only demonstrated his tenacity in winning the ball but also his raw pace on the counterattack.
Careful not to overcommit, Kerkez is strategically deployed to make the under-lapping run when necessary, with Cody Gakpo and even Hugo Ekitike more than capable of holding the width.
With eight goal contributions for Bournemouth last season, compared to a solitary effort from Robertson, the left back will be impatient to underline his credentials as the Scot’s successor.
But patience will be key for Kerkez, who must seek the balance in Liverpool’s XI to determine how much he can affect the game going forward.
Frimpong’s position has a large bearing on the balance, or imbalance, if you are Kerkez, and over-committing can lead to a rather leaky defence that the Premier League champions will want to avoid.
A centre back’s life for Robbo?
To everyone’s surprise, the summer transfer window has been one of resounding intent from Liverpool.
But with Jarell Quansah completing a move to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez sustaining an injury to his Achilles, the Reds are yet to address the scarcity of their centre-back situation.
An abundance of left-backs has led Slot to experiment, deploying Robertson as a centre half due to his vast experience commanding a backline, as well as his ability on the ball.
While it is more likely that he will occupy the left centre-back position when Kerkez is not, Robtertson provides Slot more of a defensive option but is still wily enough to surprise teams on the counterattack.
The character that is Andy Robertson is not one to bow out quietly, and he will continue to do his talking on the pitch whenever he is presented with the opportunity.
Arne Slot is packed to the brim with quality in the fullback department, and it will be fascinating to see how the four players will be rotated throughout the season in this new-look Liverpool side.