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Liverpool's first two fixtures of the Andoni Iraola era have played out in remarkably similar fashion.
Both matches ended 2–2, first on the road against Newcastle United and then at home against Nottingham Forest, but the parallels run deeper than the scoreline. The Reds have found themselves behind at the break in both games, needing to claw back deficits twice over and rescue a point through a late goal.
Another shared thread has been the underwhelming displays from Liverpool's fullbacks, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Watching last summer's recruits awkwardly charge up and down the flanks, Liverpool fans could be excused for closing their eyes and longing for the golden era when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson patrolled those positions. The blend of the former's elegance and the latter's tenacity cemented them as the finest fullback partnership in world football at their peak.
The transformative legacy of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson already feels like a distant chapter as Liverpool embark on a season without either for the first time in nine years.
Much has been made of the decline in Liverpool's attack since the celebrated trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino all moved on, but the downgrade in the club's fullback pairing is proving equally damaging to their long-term outlook.
Liverpool's Defensive Woes
On paper, Liverpool's choice to invest a combined $95 million in Frimpong and Kerkez appeared logical.
Frimpong had been a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable domestic double under Xabi Alonso in 2023–24, racking up 24 goal involvements across all competitions. Even a more modest return of 14 goal contributions the following season did little to diminish his stock.
Kerkez, meanwhile, had established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting young defenders, thriving under Iraola at Bournemouth with his energy and pace. He looked like a natural heir to Robertson, sharing a similar style to the man who would serve as his mentor during the 2025–26 campaign.
Frimpong's persistent injury issues were the main explanation for his struggles in his debut season, while Kerkez showed gradual signs of improvement after a difficult start, hinting at better times ahead. Sadly, their second year on Merseyside has gotten off to an alarming start.
Liverpool's fullbacks have been fully exposed in the opening two matches of the season. They have put in below-par performances against both Newcastle and Forest, contributing to shaky defensive showings that have seen the Reds concede 3.88 expected goals across those outings.
Given that Frimpong primarily operated as a wingback at Leverkusen—and sometimes even further forward—it comes as little shock that he has struggled so badly defensively. He has won just six of his 13 ground duels this season and has registered only seven defensive actions, lacking the awareness and instincts needed to neutralise threats.
Things have been little better for Kerkez. After being left in the dust by Anthony Elanga for Newcastle's fifth-minute opener, there has been no noticeable progress from last season's erratic form. There is an undeniable rashness to his game that frequently puts his teammates in difficult situations.
Attacking Underperformance
What truly distinguished Alexander-Arnold and Robertson was their contribution going forward. Klopp granted them the freedom to roam the flanks during their prime, and they repaid his faith with relentlessly dangerous deliveries into the box. The same cannot be said of Frimpong and Kerkez.
During the 2024–25 season—Liverpool's last with both Alexander-Arnold and Robertson—the club's dynamic fullback pairing combined for 14 goals and assists. By their own lofty standards, that was a relatively quiet year. They had produced 19 the season prior and 26 during the 2022–23 campaign.
In comparison, Frimpong and Kerkez managed a combined eight goals and assists last season, and their showings in the opening two matches highlight just how sorely Liverpool miss meaningful attacking output from the fullback slots.
Of their 13 attempted crosses against Newcastle and Forest, only one reached a teammate, and they share a combined expected goals and assists figure of just 0.17 across both matches. Far too frequently, their deliveries go astray or are cut out by the first defender. Either way, moves are breaking down at their feet.
Liverpool's Transfer Regret
Liverpool's priority this summer has been bolstering their wide attacking options, with Bradley Barcola set to join Victor Muñoz as a new addition to Iraola's forward line. New faces have also arrived at centre back, with Jérémy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo both coming through the door.
Yet Liverpool's failure to address the fullback positions looks set to come back to bite them.
Opting against signing a right back is somewhat understandable given that Conor Bradley, sidelined with injury since January, is viewed as the club's first-choice option now and in the future. Liverpool are reluctant to obstruct his path, even if it means tolerating Frimpong's inconsistent performances in the interim.
Left back, however, is a position Liverpool should have reinforced following Robertson's free transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. Not only is Kerkez an unreliable option, but the backup alternative is even less convincing.
Kostas Tsimikas serves as Kerkez's deputy this season after returning from a disappointing loan stint at Roma. The 30-year-old featured in just 25 matches across all competitions and failed to impress Gian Piero Gasperini. As spirited and committed as Tsimikas is, he simply does not meet the standard required at Liverpool.
While Liverpool still have time to address their fullback concerns before the Sep. 1 deadline, there are no signs that another defender is on the way. Should that remain the case, it is a decision that could well prove costly for Iraola in his debut season in charge.