Liverpool might see both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong back in the squad to face Tottenham Hotspur
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It’s a position that has been problematic for Liverpool throughout the season. In total, six players have operated in the role of right-back in the Premier League - and we have yet to hit the halfway stage.
Certainly, the lack of consistency in the full-back area has been a factor behind the Reds’ title defence being over before Christmas. But for Saturday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Arne Slot might have both of his recognised options available.
There was the sorry sight of Joe Gomez dropping to his haunches and having to be withdrawn in the first half of last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Gomez has been hampered by several injury issues over the past few years and may face another spell on the treatment table.
However, Conor Bradley will be back to face Spurs after he served a one-match suspension for an accumulation of five yellow cards. The Northern Ireland international has had an interrupted 2025-26 campaign, making his task of succeeding Trent Alexander-Arnold more challenging. Bradley has been injured on two separate occasions, meaning his game-time has been carefully managed.
And Jeremie Frimpong, signed to fill the void of Alexander-Arnold, has endured a difficult start. Signed for £29 million fro Bayer Leverkusen, two hamstring problems have limited the former Celtic man to nine games so far. Frimpong has been sidelined for almost two months after suffering a blow during a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Yet, according to Slot, there was a chance that Frimpong could be back in training this week. Given that Liverpool will be short of senior players for the trip to Tottenham, the Netherlands international might well make the bench if he remains unscathed.
Liverpool will head to Tottenham without their first-choice wingers. Mo Salah is representing Egypt at the African Cup and Nations and Cody Gakpo is injured.
Given that Slot has changed his system in recent games, neither might have started in North London had they been fit. Slot has deviated away from his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation and opted for a 4-4-2 diamond. It has yielded a run of five matches unbeaten and lifted Liverpool up to seventh in the Premier League table.
The decision to deploy four midfielders - Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister - has offered more stability and allowed the Reds to dominate the engine room. It also allowed Florian Wirtz to take up half-spaces on the left-hand side.
And a diamond system is one that can allow Bradley to thrive if, as expected, he is given an immediate recall against Spurs. With Liverpool packing the middle of the park, it allows space out wide for the full-backs. Despite not being naturally attacking, Gomez took up advanced positions against Brighton. He was high up the pitch when bravely winning the header to assist Hugo Ekitike’s opening gaol with the first minute. There was another occasion when Gomez marauded to the byline and cut a ball back for Ekitike, who fired over.
Given that Bradley is more of a forward-thinking right-back, he should only benefit, especially as Gravenberch or Jones have been offering defensive protection by screening centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Certainly, when Bradley came off the bench against Inter Milan in the Champions League, he displayed glimpses of what could be to come. He displayed energy and verve, as well as having a chance on goal saved in a 22-minute cameo.
And when he is back available, Frimpong should reap the rewards from the new set-up. The 24-year-old largely played as a wing-back at Leverkusen where he recorded a total of 30 goals and 44 assists in 190 appearances. Regular crosses could also help Alexander Isak to finally light the touchpaper to his Liverpool career after enduring a slow start and bagging a solitary league goal.
On the left-hand side, Milos Kerkez has made encouraging strides. Signed for £40 million from AFC Bournemouth, he looked uncomfortable in the first few months and looked to be playing on a leash. But a string of steady performances has helped restore Kerkez’s confidence. The Hungarian will hopefully begin to show the attacking prowess that won him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.