Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has urged the club to sign a replacement for the underperforming duo Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has exclusively told TEAMtalk that Liverpool must strengthen both full-back positions in the upcoming transfer windows after their defensive shortcomings were once again exposed in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Reds need new full-backs
Johnson emphasised that the positions are too important to ignore if Liverpool want to compete for the Premier League title under Andoni Iraola. The Merseyside club have struggled to find consistency at right-back and left-back, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez yet to establish themselves as reliable options.
Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a £30 million deal, while Kerkez joined from Bournemouth for £40 million in the summer of 2025. However, neither defender has consistently delivered the performances expected following their respective moves.
Liverpool have also turned to Ronald Araujo, who joined on loan from Barcelona, to provide cover on the right. Despite the additional option, concerns remain over the club’s long-term defensive setup.
They have gone from boasting two of the best full-backs in their modern history in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to facing uncertainty over both positions, with none of their current options fully convincing. Johnson admitted that Liverpool have been struggling in these positions for some time and expects the club to address the issue.
“They’ve been struggling in that position for a while. So, yeah, they’re definitely going to look to strengthen it because they have to. Obviously, they’re key positions nowadays, and they’re very important players’ positions if you want to win the league, so they will be looking.
“But for now, you have to work with what you’ve got, and hopefully the lads find some form and kick in. They are good players. It’s just, the penny’s just not dropped right now,” he said.
Frimpong and Kerkez can still turn things around
Johnson stopped short of writing off Frimpong and Kerkez, suggesting that both players still have the quality to improve. The former’s difficulties in adapting to his role at right-back have raised questions about whether he can become a dependable long-term option, while Kerkez has yet to produce the consistency required to secure the left-back position.
Liverpool’s defensive struggles underscore the modern full-back role, where defenders must contribute to attacking moves while remaining dependable at the back. Johnson’s assessment reflects the importance of finding that balance, particularly under Iraola as he looks to build a side capable of challenging for major honours.
For now, the Merseyside club will hope both defenders can find form. If struggles persist, strengthening at full-back in 2027 could reshape Liverpool’s defensive options.