For all the focus on attacking reinforcements and midfield balance, one issue at Liverpool FC is becoming impossible to ignore — the lack of a reliable, long-term solution at right-back.
What was once a position of strength now looks like a growing weakness, and recent selection decisions have only highlighted the urgency.
The Trent factor — impossible to replace
The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold has arguably been the biggest factor in exposing Liverpool’s struggles in this position.
Trent wasn’t just a right-back — he was a system.
His ability to dictate play, create chances from deep, and control games with his passing made him completely unique. Liverpool’s entire structure often relied on his presence, whether drifting into midfield or delivering from wide areas.
Without him, the team hasn’t just lost a defender — it’s lost a creative hub.
And that loss has highlighted just how unprepared Liverpool are in that role.
Injuries exposing the depth problem
Conor Bradley’s long-term absence has removed the most natural replacement, leaving a major gap in both defensive structure and attacking balance.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong — while talented — is not a traditional right-back. He thrives higher up the pitch, and injuries have made him an unreliable option for consistent selection.
Then there’s Joe Gomez, whose versatility is useful but whose ongoing fitness issues make him difficult to depend on week after week.
Individually manageable — collectively a problem.
Square pegs, bigger problems
One of the clearest warning signs has been Liverpool’s need to use midfielders out of position to fill the gap.
That kind of reshuffling disrupts the entire team:
- Defensive organisation suffers
- Midfield balance is weakened
- Attacking patterns lose fluency
It’s no longer a short-term fix — it’s a structural flaw.
A role central to how Liverpool play
At Liverpool, the right-back role is not just defensive — it’s fundamental to how the team functions.
Without a natural option:
- Build-up becomes less effective
- Width is reduced
- Transitions become disjointed
And without Trent, there’s no like-for-like solution in the squad.
A priority that can’t be ignored
Liverpool cannot afford to enter another season relying on makeshift options.
They need:
- A natural right-back
- Someone reliable and durable
- A player who can contribute to both defensive stability and attacking build-up
Replacing Trent directly is impossible — but replacing the balance he brought to the team is essential.
The bigger picture
Trent’s absence hasn’t just been felt — it’s been exposed.
It has revealed a lack of depth, a lack of clarity, and a lack of a long-term plan in one of the most important positions on the pitch.
And unless Liverpool address it properly this summer, it risks becoming a weakness that continues to hold them back.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
Leave a comment