Liverpool star must 'decide what sort of player he wants to be' or risk being replaced

Andoni Iraola has a puzzle to solve at right-back and Glen Johnson is calling on one candidate to focus on the job in hand.

Liverpool should consider alternative options at right-back next season, including exploring a deal for Arsenal's Ben White, if the Reds' current options can not step up to the plate and deliver for new boss Andoni Iraola.

That's the view of former Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson, who made 200 appearances for the Reds over six seasons following an £18.5m transfer from Portsmouth in 2009.

Since Trent Alexander-Arnold ended his association with the Reds to join Real Madrid 12 months ago, Liverpool have been left with two primary right-back options, but used seven different players to fulfil the role last season under Arne Slot.

Conor Bradley suffered a serious knee injury in early January, ruling him out for the rest of the season, while summer signing Jeremie Frimpong, who can operate both in defence and attack on the right flank, also had his own injury problems and failed to deliver the consistency that would have made the position his own.

Slot also experimented with Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez throughout the season, whilst Calvin Ramsey made one appearance at right-back in the Carabao Cup.

No return date has yet been put on Bradley's recovery, leaving new boss Iraola with a decision to make over whether he needs to bring in reinforcements at right-back. One option could be a surprise bid for Arsenal's experienced defender Ben White, who, despite making 32 appearances for the Gunners last season across all competitions, is vying for a place with the younger Dutch international Jurrien Timber.

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But regardless of whether Liverpool decides to show any interest in the Premier League winner or not, Johnson believes that Frimpong must focus on what he wants to be defined as in football if he is to have any future at Anfield.

Speaking to Bet St George, Johnson said: "Ben White to Liverpool? I guess it depends on the Arsenal situation. If they view him as their number one right-back, I don't imagine he'd leave the champions.

"It all depends on how Mikel Arteta sees him, was he just filling in for a successful team, or does he really view him as the main man at right-back for Arsenal? That will determine whether he might be available for Liverpool.

"I haven't seen a great deal defensively or going forward from Jeremie Frimpong to be honest. I think it's just both been okay. But I think it's almost like he needs to decide what sort of player he wants to be and focus on it.

"At the minute, it's kind of like six out of ten at everything and if you want to be Liverpool's right back or even a top right back in the league, that's not good enough.

"I hope it's just a slow start. People take different times to settle in and confidence can come and go. So hopefully it's just been a lack of confidence, maybe he didn't realise how quick and powerful the Premier League is.

"Hopefully, he's had time now to experience it and can show us what made Liverpool want to sign him in the first place."

Fimpong joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a £29.5m deal, having won the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso. The Dutch international was omitted from Ronald Koeman's Netherlands sqaud for the World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

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