Glen Johnson Concerned by Liverpool’s Inconsistent Full-Backs

Another Premier League gameweek has come to a close, and so it’s time to sit down with a cup of tea and reflect on the weekend's results before looking ahead to the upcoming Carabao Cup fixtures and another round of Premier League action.

We caught up with former Chelsea and Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson to discuss a range of Premier League talking points - from Liverpool’s defensive issues to Manchester United’s summer recruits.

Inconsistent Kerkez Is a Concern

The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson turning 31 saw Liverpool invest in the full-back department during the summer transfer window. In came Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

However, it’s been a tough start for both - with Kerkez being used more as a third centre-back when Liverpool are in possession rather than as the marauding full-back he was during his time at the Vitality Stadium. Johnson feels none of Liverpool’s full-backs have yet seized the opportunity to make themselves first-choice under Arne Slot.

"You can ask a few different people and all will choose different fullbacks. Which tells you that no one's grabbing that area by the scruff of the neck."

"Kerkez has come in, he's had some great games and then some, where he looks like he's trying to get sent off."

Frimpong Failing to Show His Attacking Quality

Meanwhile, Frimpong has been hampered by a number of hamstring injuries, while Conor Bradley hasn’t quite reached the levels of previous seasons when deputising for Alexander-Arnold. Johnson has challenged Frimpong to rediscover the attacking spark that made him one of Europe’s most exciting right-backs in recent years.

"Conor Bradley, last year with Trent leaving, I thought there's no drama because Conor will bounce on and fill those shoes and take that role that he hasn't."

"Frimpong comes in as this new attacking right-back. I haven't seen him go forward that well at all. Not in terms of like the expectations of how people were talking."

"It's almost like both areas are up for grabs. They're obviously all good players but no one's really hit the ground running and kicked on. There's a reason why we couldn't name the number one left-back or number one right-back and that's why they're changing all the time."

Cunha and Mbeumo Hailed as Great Business by United

One of the teams to have dented Liverpool’s title hopes this season is Manchester United, who have been boosted by the summer arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Cunha scored his first Manchester United goal against Brighton at the weekend, while Mbeumo has already netted four Premier League goals in nine games. Their form has injected new life into Rúben Amorim’s side - and Johnson believes both signings represent smart, low-risk business.

“Cunha and Mbuemo have done it in the Premier League before. Some players look great in other leagues and then you spend a lot of money and it doesn’t work out. United have done good business as Cunha and Mbuemo know the league and have scored bundles of goals.”

“They’re very good and risk averse moves to make. United are used to signing the best players in the world but they’re far from that now. However, in the last window they did great business.”

Donnarumma Could Be the Difference for City

Across the city, Manchester City suffered their first loss since August - a run of nine unbeaten matches ended by a Matty Cash strike at Villa Park. It was a quiet afternoon for both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, but Johnson believes the pair will be key in ensuring City remain in the title race.

“Haaland is a machine and he will score goals forever. Again, players like Foden will go through hot and cold patches. When Foden is on form he’s up there and unstoppable. Couple that with feeding Haaland and of course City will be up there fighting for the title and back to winning ways. Their squad is too good for them to not be competing for the title and they need their big guns to perform which comes from players like Foden.”

“Donnarumma provides an edge. Ederson was world class but then City signed one of the best goalkeepers in the world which is what they’re capable of doing. He’s settled in quickly and he’s a giant of a keeper. He makes saves that he has no right to make. It means the defenders know they have someone that will bail them out of trouble. He’s the kind of keeper that can win them the league.”

Manchester City travel to Swansea in the League Cup which could be an opportunity to give Haaland and Foden a rest. However, Pep Guardiola is desperate for more silverware and we would not be surprised if they both start. The bookmakers certainly think they will as they are both favourites to score. The odds are 11/4 for them both to score on Wednesday. Why not take a punt as a qualifying bet with bet365, if they do not score, you will still receive £30 in free bets. If you are a new customer, you can qualify with this bonus code.

Read who Glen Johnson thinks Liverpool must sign in January