Bradley, Kerkez and Frimpong Offer New Width in Liverpool’s Evolving System | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Fullback Evolution: Bradley, Kerkez and Frimpong in Focus

Liverpool’s 3-1 pre-season win over Yokohama offered more than just fitness minutes and match rhythm. As dissected by Panenka LFC on their YouTube channel, this friendly revealed key tactical patterns Arne Slot is testing as he prepares for a Premier League title defence. The spotlight fell heavily on the fullbacks, with Connor Bradley and Milos Kerkez starting, while Jeremie Frimpong made his usual impact off the bench.

Fullbacks Leading the Charge

Panenka LFC labelled this game “probably the closest we’ve seen so far to a full strength 11.” That starting lineup included Connor Bradley on the right and Kerkez on the left, with both showing traits Slot will likely lean on next season.

When analysing Bradley’s performance, Panenka LFC highlighted his sharp decision-making in attacking transitions. “With a simple flick, he sets up Bradley who receives the ball facing forward and bursts into space.” This movement was pivotal in pushing the tempo and creating overloads out wide. But it also raised a red flag: “This is the exact moment we lost possession. And as you can see with our fullbacks pushed high up the pitch, look at how exposed we are during the transition.”

Kerkez, too, demonstrated how Liverpool’s fullbacks are stepping into central roles. “Kerkez even goes a step further, attacking the space behind the opposition and almost taking up a midfielder’s role.” This inversion, used to overload midfield zones, resembles patterns first seen last season against Brighton. As Panenka LFC put it, “It creates something close to a midfield diamond, aiming to cover all five lanes and create combinations in tight spaces.”

Frimpong’s Impact and Tactical Flexibility

Jeremie Frimpong entered the fray in the second half and made an instant impression. “Frimpong brought his usual flare down the right and even grabbed the assist for Nyoni’s first ever goal for the club.” While the Dutchman didn’t start, his explosive contribution off the bench fits the profile Slot appears to want in his fullbacks.

Earlier in the video, Panenka LFC referenced how last season’s discussions about Frimpong remain relevant: “It’s all about having that dynamic presence out wide who can take advantage of those quick transitions and support the attack at pace.” This style fits well within the double pivot setup Liverpool used, which aims to pull the opposition centrally and create space for the wide players.

Risks Behind the Ambition

Despite the innovation, Panenka LFC were quick to caution against potential defensive gaps. With fullbacks pushing high and central midfielders like Szoboszlai, “who isn’t a natural number six,” struggling in transition, the system carries risks. “When he’s playing as a six, he often gets stuck between two decisions,” they explained, questioning the robustness of Liverpool’s rest defence.

Adding to the concerns, they pointed out a structural flaw: “They were positioned in more of a one-to-one vertical line, which leaves far too much space for opponents to attack in transition.” It’s not panic stations yet, but these friendlies are exposing both the strengths and the vulnerabilities of Slot’s tactical rebuild.

A System in Development

The Panenka LFC crew reiterated the purpose of these games: “It’s about learning what works, fixing what doesn’t, and getting sharper with each game.” The fullbacks—Bradley, Kerkez and Frimpong—are central to that process. All three offer different qualities, but each brings the energy and positional intelligence needed in Slot’s dynamic structure.

As pre-season rolls on, these tactical blueprints will be refined, but this match against Yokohama showed that Liverpool’s fullbacks are no longer just defensive outlets. They’re integral to progression, tempo and shape—just as long as the defence behind them can hold firm.