Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool player, has suggested that manager Andoni Iraola might need to consider a permanent shift for midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to the right-back position. Carragher believes this could be a solution to Liverpool's defensive issues, particularly at right-back, which have been exacerbated by injuries and inconsistent form.
Szoboszlai, who was named Liverpool's Player of the Season last campaign and recently signed a new contract reportedly worth £350,000 per week, has been used sporadically at right-back, including in the recent 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. Carragher posited that while Szoboszlai is a runner with an energy and goal threat, he does not see him as a central midfielder suited to Liverpool's style of play, nor as a traditional No. 10.
"For me, in midfield he's a Jordan Henderson. Runner, energy, with more of a goal threat. But Liverpool don't play that way and he's not really a No 10," Carragher stated on the Stick to Football podcast. "His best role could actually be at right-back. He'd get plenty of the ball, he can run and almost play that Trent role from there."
Carragher expressed concern that Liverpool may have made a "massive mistake" by not reinforcing their full-back positions during the recent transfer window. He noted that with Conor Bradley still injured and Jeremie Frimpong struggling, the right-back spot has been a problem since Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure last summer. He specifically mentioned concerns about the defensive capabilities of other full-backs, describing Kerez as having "head down and run" and questioning the understanding of the game of some players.
Carragher acknowledged that a move to right-back might not be Szoboszlai's preference, especially after signing a lucrative new contract and holding the vice-captaincy. "But there's no way he's going to want to play there because he's just signed a new contract for £350,000 a week," Carragher added. "You've just done this big thing, he's the vice-captain, I just think that's a conversation Iraola is going to have to have going forward, because the midfield is not right and he's part of that midfield not being right."
Liverpool's summer signings included Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, who primarily play on the left wing, and centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. However, no additions were made in central midfield or at full-back. The team is searching for its first win of the season when they face Ipswich Town on Friday.