Stephen Warnock says one Liverpool player did two 'exceptional' things today which they should have scored from
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Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United was a devastating result, with only a few bright sparks.The Reds were down early to a Bryan Mbeumo strike, which was drilled past Giorgi Mamardashvili, causing an early letdown that sucked some fight out of the team.But this season Liverpool have been about the dramatics, and when Cody Gakpo equalised late on from a brilliant Federico Chiesa assist, there seemed to be an expectation they could rescue something.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. This assumption was wrong as Bruno Fernandes delivered a ball which found the head of Harry Maguire, sealing a fourth straight defeat in all competitions for Arne Slot’s men.Gakpo was obviously one of the brighter players who offered some creativity, but so did Jeremie Frimpong in his brief cameo after replacing Mohamed Salah in the dying embers of the game.Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesStephen Warnock says Jeremie Frimpong delivered two ‘exceptional’ ballsThe Dutch right-back delivered a key pass and attempted two crosses when he made his brief appearance bombing down the flank, which was picked up on by Stephen Warnock.READ MORE: Michael Owen says there’s reason for Liverpool fans to be positive despite fourth consecutive defeatWarnock was impressed by his brief appearance and spoke about how the two balls he delivered into the box were ‘exceptional’ and should have been buried by Gakpo.Speaking to BBC Sport, he even claimed the natural right-back had more influence than Salah in less time.He said: “Then Frimpong comes on down the right and has more of an influence in ten minutes or so than Salah in most of the same.
He put two exceptional balls into the box, and Gakpo should have scored one of them. Ekitike did more when he came on up top than Isak did too.”It was not the best performance once again from the Egyptian, and the expectation after his one brilliant game in the international break is that he would come out firing against United.His performance may, in the eyes of some, warrant a question from Slot over his place in the team, but again, the whole squad’s performance was not up to scratch, so it may be difficult to judge.Stephen Warnock suggests Dominik Szoboszlai should play right-backOne man whose place in the team will not be questioned is Dominik Szoboszlai’s as he put in a shift in both the midfield and right-back positions.While he moved into Conor Bradley’s natural position, it seemed Szoboszlai was the only Liverpool player with the ball and looking to push forward consistently.Warnock, after seeing this hardworking display, believes that it may be time to put the Hungarian in at right-back from now on, whether he likes it or not.He said: “Szoboszlai looks like the better right back and suits going into midfield from that position, but does he like being there?
No, but for the good of the team it would work better.”At this point, any fresh ideas could help, given the fact that this team looks so disjointed.