Liverpool full-back gamble exposed after Newcastle draw
Liverpool's full-back gamble backfired at St James' Park as Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez combined for just one accurate cross in a 2-2 Newcastle draw. FotMob data shows Frimpong completed one of five attempts while Kerkez missed both of his, exposing a flank crisis under Andoni Iraola.
Key Takeaways
- FotMob stats credit Liverpool's starting full-backs with only one accurate cross from seven attempts in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
- Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle called both Frimpong and Kerkez "particularly shocking," and each picked up a first-half yellow card.
- Frimpong earned a 5.9 SofaScore rating — Liverpool's lowest — while fans on social media branded his display "disgraceful" and "pathetic."
- Liverpool rescued a point through Dominik Szoboszlai's 99th-minute penalty after goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock.
- Andoni Iraola's first match in charge left both flanks looking vulnerable, with Newcastle targeting the weakness repeatedly.
What happened in Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Newcastle?
Liverpool travelled to St James' Park on Sunday for the opening Premier League game — Andoni Iraola's first match in charge of the club. Newcastle took the lead through Anthony Elanga after slicing through Liverpool's midfield far too easily, and Joe Willock restored the hosts' advantage after Cody Gakpo had equalised.
Dominik Szoboszlai levelled from the spot in the 99th minute to secure a 2-2 draw. The emotional fixture also featured Alexander Isak's return to his former club, where he was booed by home supporters, and a tribute to former manager Kevin Keegan, who died in July aged 75.
Why are Liverpool's full-backs under fire?
According to This Is Anfield, Liverpool are gambling with their full-back options — and the numbers backed that up. FotMob data from the match shows Frimpong completed one of five crosses while Kerkez failed to connect on either of his two attempts.
Yahoo Sports reported that Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle wrote in his live blog: "Both Kerkez and Frimpong have been particularly shocking at left and right-back respectively." Each was on a booking before half-time, which Doyle noted Newcastle would surely look to exploit. He even asked whether Kostas Tsimikas and Ronald Araujo might be needed after the break.
Frimpong offered little attacking thrust, his delivery was poor, and he kept surrendering possession. Kerkez was exposed for the opening goal, struggled with Elanga's pace and wasted the few moments he had going forward. If full-backs are meant to provide width, recovery pace and control, Liverpool got none of the three.
How bad was Jeremie Frimpong's performance?
Frimpong was singled out as Liverpool's worst performer on the day. GiveMeSport noted SofaScore rated him 5.9 — the lowest mark in the Liverpool squad. He won just two of seven defensive duels, lost possession 17 times from 65 touches, and was dribbled past twice.
Liverpool journalist James Pearce posted on social media: "Frimpong so wasteful yet again in Possession." Supporters did not hold back online. One fan wrote that Frimpong was "technically disgraceful, and can't defend," while another called the display "pathetic." A separate post claimed he "could be the worst signing we've ever made."
GiveMeSport added that Frimpong has struggled to make a mark since joining Liverpool last season, and fans are clearly becoming frustrated. One supporter argued that "at least Kerkez offers something going forward," highlighting how far the right-back has fallen in supporters' eyes. For more on how fan backlash is shaping the celebrity breaking news cycle around the club, the reaction has been unusually fierce for an opening-day stalemate.
What does this mean for Andoni Iraola's Liverpool?
Yahoo Sports stressed this was one half — and one match — not a final verdict. But football is unforgiving, and reputations do not defend space. Liverpool once had full-backs who dictated matches; at St James' Park, they were dictated to instead.
Newcastle targeted the weakness, found it quickly and kept going back to it. Despite spells of possession, the attack looked loose and the defending looked looser. The late penalty salvaged a point, but as Yahoo Sports noted, Iraola has only just taken charge — and there is also reality to confront on both flanks.