Arne Slot is grappling with an increasingly serious selection headache at right-back following Dominik Szoboszlai’s red card in Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
With Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez all sidelined through injury, the Hungarian was once again deployed in defence against Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield – and it proved to be a night full of drama.
Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead in the 74th minute with a sensational long-range free kick, but deep into stoppage time his attempt to prevent an even more audacious effort from Rayan Cherki led VAR to rule that he had denied Erling Haaland a clear goalscoring opportunity, prompting referee Craig Pawson to show a red card.
Slot left short at right-back
The dismissal means Szoboszlai is suspended for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Sunderland, and with such a quick turnaround, Slot is not expecting any of his specialist right-backs to return in time for the clash at the Stadium of Light.
Asked whether Frimpong or Gomez could be available, the Liverpool head coach said via liverpoolfc.com: “Jeremie definitely won’t be. We knew when he got injured that it would take a few weeks. To be honest, I don’t expect Joe to be back either, but you never know.
“He’s only just returned after three weeks out – would you play him straight away? Normally you’d say no, but I’m the one who has to make that call. We’ll see what decision we make.
“We do have other players who can play there. Dom played very well again in that role, but unfortunately he’s unavailable for Wednesday.”
Right-back dilemma ahead of Sunderland
Szoboszlai’s suspension could hardly have come at a worse time for Liverpool. With a full week between matches, Gomez might have had enough time to step in, but the three-day gap leaves Slot facing a difficult choice.
He could ask Curtis Jones to fill in at right-back once more, or turn to Calvin Ramsay, a natural option who has barely featured this season, making his only first-team appearance in the Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
While Slot admitted he could “live with” the red card itself, the process behind the decision drew criticism from Gary Neville on Sky Sports and may prove more costly for Liverpool than conceding a third City goal, especially given the 2-1 defeat.
Jones’ only start at right-back this campaign came in November’s 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven, a punishing night for both player and team, and he could face a stern test against Chemsdine Talbi on Wednesday.
That is no slight on Jones, whose willingness to cover defensively is valued, but it is understandable that Liverpool would prefer a natural defender in such a key position – leaving hope that Gomez might yet be declared fit in time for the midweek trip.
