Pundits agree Slot doesn’t trust any of his right backs | OneFootball

Slot’s trust questioned as Liverpool right-back issue deepens

Slot’s early progress now under scrutiny

Liverpool’s early season optimism under Arne Slot has faded fast. After seven consecutive victories across all competitions, the Reds’ momentum has come to an abrupt halt with three successive defeats. Losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea have dented confidence and exposed the structural flaws that Slot must now urgently resolve.

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The Dutchman’s tactical intelligence has impressed many, but his handling of the right-back position has prompted widespread debate. Premier League icons Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer are among those questioning his faith in any of the three options available to him. For a club so defined by its full-backs over the past decade, uncertainty in that area represents a worrying shift.

Lack of trust in right-back rotation

Speaking on BBC Sport, Rooney expressed concern about Liverpool’s defensive selection: “I think there was worrying signs from the start. I know obviously Liverpool win the games, but they weren’t winning them in a way a manner they was last season. And I think there was signs there that something weren’t quite right. And I think the last week has shown that. I think he’s obviously he clearly doesn’t trust any of the right backs.”

Rooney’s remarks capture the underlying issue. In ten games this season, Liverpool have split starts across three right-backs: Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai, who is a midfielder by trade. It suggests Slot is still searching for balance in a system that depends heavily on width and defensive discipline.

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Alan Shearer echoed that sentiment during Premier League Productions, saying: “They’ve signed Frimpong, and he’s not comfortable with him at right-back, they’ve tried three different right-backs, Frimpong, Szoboszlai and Bradley. He’s played Frimpong up top on the right of a front three on Thursday at Istanbul, that didn’t work either. So they have big problems, not just defensively but in the midfield as well.”

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Szoboszlai’s unexpected rise

What began as an experiment has turned into a tactical necessity. Szoboszlai, though not a natural defender, has arguably been Liverpool’s most effective right-back this season. His energy and technique offer balance where others have faltered. A stunning free-kick against Arsenal from that position earned Liverpool three vital points and gave Slot a short-term solution in an awkward dilemma.

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Frimpong’s attacking verve is undeniable, but defensive lapses have proved costly. Slot’s post-match comments following the loss to Crystal Palace appeared to reference his positional error: “One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending. One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.”

Bradley, meanwhile, provides solidity but lacks the progressive drive Slot’s system demands. It leaves Liverpool in a precarious middle ground, balancing defensive responsibility with the creative requirements of a high-pressing side.

Finding stability through trust

Slot’s challenge now lies in building consistency and trust. The rotation at right-back reflects a manager still learning his squad, testing combinations and philosophies within the unforgiving rhythm of elite football. At Liverpool, every selection is magnified, and every hesitation dissected.

For a team built on identity and clarity under its previous regime, this uncertainty feels unfamiliar. Slot’s credibility rests not on stylistic flair alone, but on his ability to restore assurance where it matters most. As Rooney and Shearer suggest, that begins with trust, both in his right-backs and in his own convictions.

Liverpool’s season will not be defined by one positional puzzle, but it might hinge on whether Slot can turn indecision into direction.