Liverpool's Right-Back Dilemma: Szoboszlai's Versatility Underlines Iraola's Strategy

Andoni Iraola is ready to lean on Dominic Szoboszlai’s versatility again this season – even if it means dragging Liverpool’s reigning player of the year back to right-back.

Szoboszlai was outstanding last term, racking up 25 goal contributions – 13 goals and 12 assists – in 53 games. He did it while being shunted all over the pitch, including regular stints filling in on the right of defence. It was a compromise that worked. It might be one Liverpool have to revisit.

Right-back problem, familiar solution

Liverpool went into the summer knowing full-back was a weak point. They came out of it with the same problem.

Jeremie Frimpong has already been exposed in that role in the opening two games, and a late move to fix it collapsed on deadline day when Chelsea quickly shut down an approach. The search for a specialist ended there.

So Iraola is turning back to what he trusts: adaptability.

“I haven’t found any situation where a player has said he doesn’t want to play in a position,” he said on Thursday, choosing his words carefully but making the point clear.

“We have discussions, but everyone wants to help. If we have to play Dom as a right winger, as a right-back or a midfielder, he wants to help the team first.

“We have some injuries now, and we need the versatility of the players, players like Dom. Even in the game, they have to change positions.”

The message is blunt. There is no cavalry coming at right-back. Liverpool will solve it from within.

No transfer regrets

Liverpool’s only major first-team addition after their £123m move for Bradley Barcola never arrived. The window shut with no further senior signings, and with obvious gaps still visible in the squad.

Iraola, though, is not looking for sympathy.

“I’m very happy with the signings we made. Do I want more signings? At the end, the club has decided those signings we have done are the ones that will improve our team.

“There were other options we decided not to take for different reasons, sometimes sporting or economic; the deal didn’t make sense in the market. But I’m happy now.

“We have a lot of quality in the team. The moment is for the players to give it all they have.”

The tone is firm. This is the squad. Make it work.

“I value Dom at right-back”

The injury list has already forced Liverpool into uncomfortable choices. That will not change any time soon, and Iraola knows he has to squeeze every ounce of flexibility out of his group.

“The challenge in the squad now is we don’t have Conor [Bradley] there at right-back. That’s why I value Dom at right-back, as he can play there.

“Versatility in the player helps us go through the moments when we have injuries.

“In midfield we have good numbers. Now it’s a matter of getting the right calls from myself.”

He is still tinkering, still learning which combinations work.

“I’m finding now the best combinations, and we are going through a period now where we will play a lot of games, and we’ll have a chance to see the options we have and the combinations we have. It’s a matter of coaching.”

Square pegs in round holes? For now, yes. But Iraola is backing coaching and character over complaints and excuses.

Injuries easing – slowly

The good news for Liverpool is that the treatment room is not quite as crowded as it was.

“The closest one [to playing again] is Joe [Gomez]. He will start training with us next week,” Iraola confirmed.

“Next one is [Giovanni] Leoni; he could be training during the break with the group. Conor [Bradley] is next, and, especially Hugo, longer.”

Gomez’s return will offer some relief and another option across the back line. Bradley’s comeback will be even more significant, given the current shortage on the right.

Until then, Iraola will keep turning to the players he trusts to do more than one job. And for Szoboszlai, that could mean another season where Liverpool’s most dangerous creator is also their emergency full-back.