Liverpool are facing a right-back crisis due to a series of injuries.

Liverpool are struggling on the right flank as both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have suffered injuries just before a busy fixture schedule. Bradley played five games in 16 days before sustaining a muscle injury, sidelining him for at least three weeks – coinciding with the team's seven games in 22 days. Frimpong has suffered two hamstring problems, the most recent keeping him out for over a month with no clear return date. In this context, Arne Slot lacks a reliable option in what is considered a persistent weakness.

The void left after Alexander-Arnold and the unsolved problem.

Nearly six months after Trent Alexander-Arnold left Anfield, Liverpool still haven't found a stable solution for their right flank. While Andy Robertson's arrival solved the problem on the left wing, the right flank remains a constant concern, particularly evident during demanding fixtures and when squad depth is reduced due to injuries.

Not only did Liverpool lack a player in the right role, but they also lacked the continuity to build effective passing patterns on the right flank: shielding, transitioning, pressing, and controlling the tempo of the attack. When this position constantly changes, the balanced attacking and defensive structure on both wings becomes fragile.

Conor Bradley is overloaded, Jeremie Frimpong suffers a recurrence of his injury.

Bradley was seen as a potential successor, but missing almost the entire pre-season and then returning to a high-intensity schedule for both Liverpool and Northern Ireland left him overloaded. Playing five games in 16 days was a huge challenge for a player who had never experienced such a demanding schedule. A muscle injury forced Bradley to miss at least three weeks – precisely during a period when Liverpool played seven games in 22 days.

In the other scenario, Frimpong is no luckier. The new signing has suffered two hamstring injuries since arriving at Anfield. The most recent one has kept him sidelined for over a month with no clear return date. This puts Slot in a position where he has to make do, but none of the options offer peace of mind.

Limited firefighting capabilities: why internal solutions are not sustainable.

Dominik Szoboszlai was once moved to the right wing to fill a void, but his presence and influence in midfield meant this solution only offered temporary benefits. Every time Szoboszlai left midfield, Liverpool lost a crucial link in their organization.

Joe Gomez is once again an important rotation option in the center alongside Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk. Having only played two full 90-minute matches since the end of last year, it's difficult to expect Gomez to shoulder the additional right-back role throughout a packed schedule without impacting the balance of personnel in the central defense.

Wataru Endo tried out but wasn't a good fit for the position, while Curtis Jones was brought in as a last resort in April. All of this shows Liverpool lacks a structurally sound piece to maintain their tactical standards on the right flank.

Tactical impact: right flank structure and transition risks

The right flank is a crucial link in how a team controls the horizontal space of the pitch. When the right-back is inconsistent, Liverpool are vulnerable to transitions to the left of the opponent, especially in the area between the wing and the half-space. Frequent substitutions also lead to a lack of coordination in the attacking moves, overlapping runs, and covering during pressing, reducing the effectiveness of controlling the game.

Conversely, the attack also loses its fluidity. A stable right-back allows the team to form familiar triangular passing combinations, breaking down the opponent's defense and opening up space in the midfield. When this "hinge" constantly changes, the quality of the build-up play and the cohesion in pressing tactics decrease significantly.

January transfer market: prioritize center-backs to unlock the right wing.

Liverpool have insisted they have no intention of signing a right-back in January, arguing that Bradley and Frimpong will be back before Christmas. However, the wait could be a significant risk given the congested fixture schedule. A new centre-back could free Gomez from his sole backup role, thereby opening up more rotation options on the right flank without thinning the central defense.

Nearly six months after Alexander-Arnold's departure, Liverpool still haven't resolved the question mark at right-back. The January transfer window could be the starting point for finding the solution Slot needs: either strengthening the center-back depth for effective rotation, or giving Bradley and Frimpong enough time to return without compromising tactical structure.