Should Liverpool Move Dominik Szoboszlai to Right-Back After Frimpong Struggles?

Andoni Iraola may already have a major selection decision to make at Liverpool, with David Lynch arguing that Dominik Szoboszlai should be considered at right-back following Jeremie Frimpong’s difficult start to the season.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch expressed serious concerns about Liverpool’s full-backs after the opening two matches.

Davis was equally forthright about Frimpong’s display against Nottingham Forest.

“We’ve seen two games, I think both full-backs have been awful,” Davis said. “Frimpong was utterly dreadful on Saturday.”

That led directly to the suggestion that Szoboszlai could provide Iraola with an internal solution.

Frimpong Becoming Major Liverpool Problem

Lynch believes too much attention has been placed on Liverpool’s midfield when their problems at full-back have been even more damaging.

“There’s such an obsession about the midfield,” Lynch said. “The full-backs are a bigger problem for me. They are a massive, massive issue.”

He highlighted Liverpool’s turnovers in possession and how easily opposition sides have been able to target them defensively.

Frimpong, in particular, came under scrutiny after the Forest game.

“Frimpong was basically Nottingham Forest’s best route to goal in this game,” Lynch said.

He pointed to Forest attacking the space behind him with long balls and diagonals, while also highlighting Frimpong’s struggles in possession.

“He completes zero out of his four cross attempts,” Lynch said, explaining that poor deliveries were creating situations where Liverpool immediately surrendered possession.

Szoboszlai Offers Iraola Alternative

Lynch revealed that Liverpool already had concerns over the right-back position entering the season.

“They’re not massively internally convinced by Frimpong,” he said.

Liverpool had hoped other members of the squad could provide cover, with Ronald Araújo and Joe Gomez mentioned as possibilities while Conor Bradley recovered.

Two games into the campaign, however, Lynch believes Iraola should seriously consider Szoboszlai.

“I would drag him out of there purely because he is a far better right-back than Jeremie Frimpong.”

Lynch also argued that Szoboszlai’s qualities could give Liverpool greater control when attacking from the position.

“He’s so much better in terms of that,” Lynch said. “I think his defensive work as a full-back is probably better than Frimpong’s as well.”

Most importantly, Lynch believes the Hungarian could improve the overall structure of Iraola’s side.

“I think he just probably balances the team up out there.”

Right-Back Role Could Suit Szoboszlai

There will inevitably be questions over whether Szoboszlai wants to move away from midfield after signing a new contract.

Lynch had little sympathy for that argument.

“I would sit him down and say this. Do you want to win football matches or do you want to keep losing them?”

He added: “You can run around in the centre of the pitch as much as you want, but your mate at right-back is losing you games. Do you want this to continue?”

The role could also provide Szoboszlai with plenty of attacking freedom.

“In this system, the way Liverpool are going to play, you’re going to end up with a lot of the ball, a lot of opportunity to not only provide assists, but also get in the box and score.”

For Lynch, playing right-back under Iraola does not have to be viewed as a defensive demotion.

“For me, right-back is the more fun job there for Szoboszlai.”

Short Term Switch Could Stabilise Liverpool

Lynch stressed that this does not necessarily need to become Szoboszlai’s permanent position.

“At least in the short term, until you get Gomez and Bradley back, it looks like the better solution that Liverpool have got.”

Moving Szoboszlai could also open the door for Iraola to alter his midfield, either by introducing Trey Nyoni or pairing Alexis Mac Allister with Ryan Gravenberch.

Lynch believes the priority should be finding greater stability as quickly as possible.

“I think it solves that full-back issue on the right-hand side,” he said.

“It gives you an opportunity to try and make the team a little bit stable earlier in the season.”

After only two matches, Liverpool are unlikely to make sweeping conclusions about Frimpong. The early evidence has nevertheless created a problem Iraola needs to address.

For Lynch, the most convincing answer may already be sitting elsewhere in Liverpool’s starting XI.