Jamie Carragher has suggested Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola may need to make a difficult decision involving vice-captain Dominik Szoboszlai, with the former defender arguing that the Hungary international could be better suited to a permanent role at right-back.
Szoboszlai has become one of Liverpool’s most important players since arriving at the club and was rewarded with a new contract worth a reported £350,000 a week this summer.
His performances in midfield last season earned him the club’s Player of the Season award, making Carragher’s proposal an especially significant one.
The 25-year-old has nevertheless shown his versatility by filling in at right-back on several occasions.
He was again moved into the position during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Liverpool’s Right-Back Problem Deepens
The position has become increasingly problematic for Liverpool since Trent Alexander-Arnold departed for Real Madrid last summer.
Conor Bradley’s injury has restricted Iraola’s options, while Jeremie Frimpong has struggled to produce the consistency expected of him.
Carragher believes the situation exposes a major weakness in Liverpool’s summer recruitment strategy.
The former Liverpool defender was particularly critical of the club’s decision not to sign another specialist right-back before the transfer window closed.
Carragher Questions Szoboszlai’s Best Position
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher explained why he has never been convinced that central midfield is Szoboszlai’s ideal position.
He believes the Hungarian possesses the stamina, attacking ability and intelligence to influence matches from a deeper position on the right, potentially giving Liverpool a player capable of operating in a role similar to the one Alexander-Arnold previously occupied.
Carragher compared Szoboszlai’s midfield profile to that of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, describing him as a player whose game is built around running, energy and an ability to contribute goals.
However, he argued that Liverpool’s current midfield structure does not necessarily maximise those qualities.
A Difficult Conversation for Iraola
The biggest obstacle, according to Carragher, is convincing Szoboszlai himself.
The midfielder has just committed his future to Liverpool on a lucrative new deal and has established himself as a senior figure within the squad.
As vice-captain, he is also expected to play a prominent role in the team’s midfield.
Carragher believes Iraola may therefore have to explain why moving him to right-back could ultimately benefit both the player and the team.
“His best role could actually be at right-back,” Carragher argued, suggesting Szoboszlai could receive plenty of possession and replicate some of the influence Alexander-Arnold had from the position.
He acknowledged, however, that Szoboszlai is unlikely to welcome the proposal after securing his new contract while playing primarily in midfield.
Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy Under Fire
Liverpool spent heavily during the summer, including £123 million on Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and £34.5 million on Victor Munoz from Osasuna.
Both players operate on the left wing.
The club also strengthened its defence with permanent and loan additions involving Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo.
Yet no new central midfielder or full-back was brought in.
That decision has left Liverpool vulnerable in areas where injuries or poor form can quickly expose a lack of depth.
Neville Shares Carragher’s Concerns
Gary Neville also questioned Liverpool’s transfer business, admitting he was surprised that the club did not strengthen its full-back options.
Neville pointed to concerns over both left-back Milos Kerkez and Frimpong’s defensive performances, while Carragher was even more critical of Liverpool’s right-back planning.
Carragher argued that Bradley is a promising young player but said Liverpool’s status as a major club means they should not be forced to wait for one injured player to return before addressing an obvious weakness.
Carragher Labels Decision a ‘Massive Mistake’
Carragher believes Liverpool should have acted decisively once Bradley suffered his injury problems rather than relying on their existing options.
He accepted the club’s original decision not to sign a direct replacement for Alexander-Arnold, arguing that Bradley had shown enough potential to deserve an opportunity and that Frimpong could provide flexibility between right-back and right-wing.
But Bradley’s injury changed the situation.
Carragher’s conclusion was blunt: Liverpool should have signed another right-back instead of hoping their existing options would be enough.
For now, Iraola must find a solution from within his squad, with Szoboszlai emerging as one of the more intriguing possibilities.
Liverpool Turn Attention to Ipswich
Liverpool are still searching for their first victory of the season and will have another opportunity when they travel to Portman Road to face newly promoted Ipswich on Friday.
With the right-back position already under scrutiny and the midfield yet to fully settle, Iraola faces an early test of his tactical judgement.
Whether Szoboszlai remains in midfield or becomes an emergency solution at right-back could become one of the key selection decisions of Liverpool’s opening weeks under their new manager.
