Arne Slot learns what he must never do again after Wolves game

It’s been a washout for Liverpool in the right-back position this season.

Conor Bradley won’t play again this term after suffering a devastating injury in January - while Jeremie Frimpong has already been absent on multiple occasions due to injuries of his own.

Neither in fairness has been convincing when they have played right-back - leaving Arne Slot searching for other solutions.

Joe Gomez - who has also got a patchy fitness record - has been utilised there on occasions while also being pressed into service at centre-back.

It’s meant that the Liverpool head coach has asked for midfielders to do a job at right-back - including Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and most frequently Dominik Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai selected at right-back once again

The Hungary captain would naturally prefer to play in midfield - where his most obvious strengths lie - but there is a lot of merit in him filling in at right-back.

Being so possession-heavy Liverpool under Slot don’t have to “defend” in the traditional sense for long periods in a game.

Instead the right-back - Trent Alexander-Arnold last season and Szoboszlai this term - have the opportunity to invert, come into the midfield sector and dictate the game from there.

Mostly Szoboszlai - and Slot - can get away with it. Szoboszlai is a tireless worker and will always do a job for the team.

But there have been a few indications in recent fixtures which should encourage Slot to bring this experiment to an end.

Whether Liverpool go back into the market for a better right-back than Bradley - or else wait for the Northern Irishman to be fit - the days of Szoboszlai playing right-back need to reach a swift end.

End the Szoboszlai at right-back experiment

Against Wolves on Friday night the Reds’ clean sheet in the FA Cup was damaged by a late goal for Hwang Hee-chan. A simple up-and-under clearance from Sam Johnstone was met by the Korean forward - who slipped the ball past Alisson Becker to make it 3-1.

No big deal, the game was sewn up by that stage, surely?

But Szoboszlai’s role in the goal was fundamental. He tried to control or trap the ball - presenting it on a silver platter to Hwang - and did not sense the danger until it was too late.

It demonstrated that he doesn’t possess those defensive instincts which are so crucial to keeping clean sheets.

And yes Liverpool ordinarily might only give up a chance or two in a game - but if Szoboszlai is getting caught out then right-back becomes a vulnerable point.

Manchester City benefited from Szoboszlai playing Bernardo Silva onside a few weeks ago in the right-back position as the Portuguese midfielder got his side back in the game.

To add to the unfolding horror Szoboszlai brought down Erling Haaland for the winner. His game unravelled completely having given the Reds the lead with a sumptuous free-kick.

Sticking to the task as a diligent right-back is simply not in his repertoire. It’s addictive for Slot to keep using him there; his quality and energy are immense.

But in high-stakes and edgy encounters he is going to get found out - as he has demonstrated of late.

There is also another point to consider. Szoboszlai is a midfielder - and an attacking one at that.

Liverpool are finding it hard enough to convince him to sign a new contract as things currently stand. He may be less inclined to sign that £250k per week deal if he is forced to play out of position so often.

For once and for all it’s time for the head coach to stop considering Szoboszlai as a right-back.

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