Two players highlight Liverpool problem only unexpected summer transfer could solve

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No matter how well researched and thought out the plan, it will ultimately almost never turn out exactly as foreseen first time around.So the chastening experience of Liverpool under Arne Slot this season is nothing new after what the Dutchman readily admits was the delayed transformation away from the squad inherited when taking over from Jurgen Klopp almost two years ago.Winning the Premier League in his debut season in charge was at least a memorable manner in which to put off the inevitable break-up of a glorious Reds era that will continue with the exits of, at the very least, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah this summer.There are plentiful reasons why Slot has never been able to field the expected future vision for Liverpool this campaign. But the growing reality is that perhaps he never will.When Liverpool began their campaign back in August with a Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace, they started with four of their six senior summer signings, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak not joining until later in the transfer window.Come Saturday's 3-1 Premier League home win over the same opponents, however, the figure had gone down to three, and would have been even fewer had Alisson Becker recovered in time to replace third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.That the two outfield players who did start, £100m-plus duo Isak and Florian Wirtz, both scored underlines why Liverpool remain convinced they will be the attacking fulcrum for several years to come.But the real intrigue was in the full-back position where, despite splashing out almost £70million on summer renovations, Slot has been rewarded in the last fortnight by turning to long-established players.Robertson, solid in the derby at Everton last weekend, started a third consecutive Premier League game at left-back for the first time this season and scored his first top-flight goal in almost two years when netting the second against Palace in memorable fashion.It was assisted by Curtis Jones, who again made a positive impact when playing as an emergency right-back for the second game in succession.Summer recruits left-back Milos Kerkez and right-back Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, were restricted to late cameos from the bench in both fixtures.In fairness, Kekrez has been consistently impressive for much of the second half of the season and appears to have adjusted to the elevated demands of playing for Liverpool ahead of Robertson imminently departing.The decision for the Reds will be whether to ask Kostas Tsimikas, currently on a season-long loan at Roma, to again act as a left-back deputy or instead look to move on the Greece international and bring in fresh competition for Kerkez.The situation at right-back, however, is not quite so clear-cut.

Jones, while doing an admirable job, is not a defender, while Dominik Szoboszlai has now shifted permanently into midfield and Joe Gomez's fitness remains unreliable.The fact Frimpong hasn't been trusted to start at right-back at such a pivotal point in the season - instead emerging from the bench to play further upfield in the last two games - is telling. And with Mohamed Salah hamstrung, the Dutchman could now be required to start on the flank.Conor Bradley, of course, is arguably the main right-back option.

But the Northern Irishman has been sidelined since January after surgery on a serious knee injury with Liverpool mindful of managing the workload on his return.Hence the ongoing consideration over a move for Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries. While outside the usual profile of signing under Fenway Sports Group - Dumfries turned 30 earlier this month - a reported release clause of around £21m makes him a potential option.What's definite, though, is the full-back positions in this evolving Liverpool squad remain very much up for grabs.