Liverpool’s Right-Back Conundrum: 5 Solutions for Arne Slot

Liverpool FC faces a major crisis at right-back following Conor Bradley's season-ending knee injury sustained in a 0-0 draw with Arsenal. The 22-year-old suffered significant ligament and bone damage—avoiding an ACL tear but requiring surgery—leaving him sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, with hopes of a pre-season return.[1][2][3]

Head coach Arne Slot described the injury as a "huge blow," compounded by existing absences like teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni's ACL tear. With Trent Alexander-Arnold departing last summer for a nominal fee, Liverpool invested £29.5 million in Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen as his replacement. However, Frimpong has battled hamstring issues, starting only four Premier League games, though he's been fit since Christmas and recently featured higher up the pitch or at right-back, including in the FA Cup win over Barnsley.[2][3]

The club has no plans to sign a right-back in the January transfer window, relying on internal options amid a packed schedule.[2] The article outlines five potential solutions to address this conundrum:

• 1. Jeremie Frimpong as lead candidate: The Dutch wing-back remains the primary option despite injury setbacks, offering attacking flair from the right.[2][3]
• 2. Joe Gomez for defensive solidity: The versatile 11-year Liverpool veteran can slot in across the backline, serving as backup centre-back too while Leoni recovers.[2][3]
• 3. Internal promotions: Academy prospects or midfielders repurposed temporarily to fill the void.
• 4. Loan market dips: Short-term deals for experienced cover without long-term commitment.
• 5. Transfer targets like Givairo Read: Feyenoord's promising right-back emerges as a rumored option, though no immediate moves are planned.[4]

Slot must balance defensive stability with Liverpool's high-pressing style. Gomez provides reliability, but Frimpong's creativity is key to title aspirations. The piece urges caution, emphasizing squad depth over panic buys, as Gomez and Frimpong have steadied the ship post-Bradley.[3][5] Ultimately, these fixes test Slot's tactical ingenuity amid injuries plaguing the backline.

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