Liverpool are prioritising a right-back signing this summer, with Andoni Iraola's system demanding an attacking and defensively solid full-back. Seven players lined up at right-back for Liverpool last season, including Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Calvin Ramsay, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Curtis Jones, but only three were natural to the position. Injuries to first-choice pair Bradley and Frimpong forced Arne Slot to shuffle his pack, leaving the Reds overrun in midfield and threadbare at centre-back.
Iraola's Full-Back Demands
Under Iraola, full-backs play higher and wider in possession, contributing to a hybrid pressing structure. They must win duels and support attacks via overlap and underlap. Milos Kerkez, signed from Bournemouth in 2025, saw his attacking output drop under Slot, with assists, chances created, crosses, and dribbles all declining. Iraola's system requires more aggressive full-backs, as demonstrated by Alex Jimenez, who completed more dribbles than 96% of Premier League full-backs last season (39) with a 52% success rate.
The 10 Candidates
Ten right-backs have been assessed: Michael Kayode (Brentford), Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Vanderson (Monaco), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Mats Wieffer (Brighton), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla), Alberto Costa (Porto), and Malo Gusto (Chelsea).
Passing and Creativity
Vanderson leads in chances created with 1.62 per 90, including 0.44 big chances. His assist rate exceeds one every four games. Alberto Costa also impresses with 0.32 assists per 90 and 1.14 big chances created. Juanlu Sanchez and Guela Doue offer strong crossing, with Sanchez completing 0.90 crosses per 90 at 32.8% accuracy, the highest among candidates. Wieffer is weakest in crossing (0.14 per 90) but creates 0.94 chances per 90.
Possession and Dribbling
Palestra stands out with 2.04 successful dribbles per 90 and a 59.6% duel win rate, while being dispossessed only 0.67 times per 90. Kayode completes 1.52 dribbles per 90 with 51.4% success and a 57.7% duel win rate. Dedic manages 1.61 dribbles per 90 at 53.1% success. Doue has the highest dribble success rate (54.5%) but fewer attempts (0.79 per 90).
Defending
Wieffer makes 12.8 defensive contributions per 90, the highest, but is dribbled past 1.65 times per 90 and picks up 0.38 yellow cards per 90. Costa is dribbled past least often (0.48 per 90) but commits 2.42 fouls per 90. Vanderson records 11.5 defensive contributions and 3.38 interceptions per 90, though his minutes were limited. Dedic wins possession in the final third 0.66 times per 90 and is beaten on the dribble only 0.66 times per 90.
Verdict
If Marco Palestra is unavailable, Michael Kayode is the standout for his aggression and dribbling, but his £50-60m fee could be a sticking point. Alberto Costa offers value at around £25m with strong defensive stats and attacking threat. Guela Doue's duel-winning ability and youth make him a risk-reward option. Vanderson, if his injury woes are temporary, provides the best attacking output. Amar Dedic ticks many boxes but failed to adapt at Marseille. Ultimately, Iraola's involvement in the Victor Munoz purchase suggests he will have a large say, and the profile of the chosen right-back will reveal how Liverpool will set up.
