Dominik Szoboszlai closed Liverpool's opening match of the season as a hero, when he scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 90+9 minute.
In the second match, he reappeared in the right-back position. Perhaps the Hungarian midfielder is experiencing a miniature version of the 2025-2026 season: both a threat to the goal and becoming an unwilling firefighting option in defense.
A new era has begun, but old problems are still there. It is possible that Andoni Iraola has not been informed by Arne Slot that Szoboszlai once affirmed that he wants to play in midfield. Or just about two and a half hours after watching Liverpool play officially, the Spanish captain came to the same conclusion as his predecessor - Szoboszlai has reason to be pulled down to play right-back.
Part of the reason lies in Jeremie Frimpong. The player expected to take on the role of right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold left often appeared in higher positions. Forest's opening goal, scored by Dan Ndoye, until Frimpong was still pushing high on the right wing.
Forest's second goal also came from Frimpong's mistake. He lost the ball to Neco Williams in a situation where Liverpool was exploited by the opponent from a quick throw-in. Williams then earned a penalty. After the match, Steven Gerrard even commented that Liverpool needed a full-back.
That can be seen as a warning for Frimpong. In the previous season, Slot had repeatedly used Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in the right-back position instead of placing complete faith in the Bundesliga champion.
Liverpool is preparing to spend at least 106 million pounds to recruit Bradley Barcola. However, focusing resources on the attack makes the full-back position a clear weakness.
The Reds" can argue that Frimpong was not brought in as a pure right-back, but as a versatile player on the right wing. At Bayer Leverkusen, he even made a stronger impression when pushed up high. But the fact is that Frimpong came to Anfield in the summer when Alexander-Arnold left. And with the way Iraola pursued wingers in the transfer market, it seems he does not see Frimpong as an option for this position.
That means Frimpong becomes Liverpool's almost only right-back, especially when Conor Bradley is out until November. But the more he plays, the more he is seen as the most vulnerable link. Opponents are also starting to realize that. Jeremy Jacquet may be overloaded when having to cover the gaps behind Frimpong.
Iraola's high-speed playing style may be more suitable for Frimpong than Slot's system. However, strong attacking ability also becomes a weakness if fierceness causes him to lose his position. At that time, speed - Frimpong's most outstanding quality - will no longer be effective.
More notably, Frimpong has not created enough effectiveness in the attacking front. Of course, the biggest problem still lies in defensive ability. It is understandable that Iraola is considering using a player with a center-back forte like Joe Gomez or Ronald Araujo on the right wing. Szoboszlai certainly does not want to continue to retreat to the defense.
Liverpool may regret that Conor Bradley was unlucky with an injury. The appearances of the Northern Irish defender show that he is capable of succeeding Alexander-Arnold, but fitness issues make that plan uncertain. Bradley only had one season starting from 14 or more matches, which was the 2022-2023 season in League One with Bolton.
All those factors should have made Liverpool prioritize finding a right-back in the summer. But they did not, and Frimpong's performance from the beginning of the season made this gap even clearer.
