Former Liverpool Defender Takes Aim at Two New Signings
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence under has flattered to deceive so far. After a summer that saw a number of changes, all eyes have been on the new recruits after a record-breaking window.
Perhaps most notably, there was big change in Liverpool’s full-back department. Trent Alexander-Arnold completed his controversial switch to Real Madrid and Kostas Tsimikas joined AS Roma on loan.
In turn, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong arrived as direct replacements.
Signed for a combined £69 million, the pair were expected to inject youthful energy and attacking drive into Liverpool’s flanks. Yet, after a shaky start, concerns have already been raised about their defensive discipline and tactical capabilities.
Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel spoke exclusively to Anfield Index, courtesy of Esports Bets, and offered some strong words of advice to the duo.
Defensive Focus Over Flair
“They have so much quality to go forward, but they have to know that they aren’t wingers, they are full-backs!” said Babbel.
Both players are naturally adventurous, comfortable driving into space and overlapping at pace. Yet as Babbel reminds them, defending remains the core responsibility of a full-back, particularly in a system that relies heavily on structured positioning.
Liverpool’s previous success under Arne Slot was built on tactical maturity and with every player fully understanding their roles.
Tactical Growth Required
“The most important thing is to defend better.. They’re technically good and have lots of speed, but they need to learn to defend,” contined Babbel.
As seen in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield, opponents are already starting to target Liverpool’s full-back areas.
Both Kerkez and Frimpong must improve both their reading of the game and also contributing to the side’s build-up play.
Adjusting to Liverpool’s Attacking Power
“Up-front Liverpool have so much quality, sometimes they don’t need support from full-backs,” said Babbel.
With attacking options such as Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak, the team already carries a huge threat. With that in mind, Babbel believes that the full-backs should concern themselves more with stopping goals the other way, rather than constantly looking to join the attacking phases.
Trusting the forwards to create without overlapping at every opportunity will help restore balance and stability, and also limit the damage at the opposite end.
Learning Under Slot’s Guidance
“Do tactically the right things and especially Kerkez, sometimes tactically, my god!”
“They have to learn quicker and learn with the manager,” said Babbel.
It’s clear that things haven’t been perfect for the two defenders, but we’re still only two months into the season. It will take time to strike up new partnerships and adjust to Slot’s tactical identity, but we will get there eventually, I’m sure!
