Former Liverpool defender Christian Ziege has defended under-fire full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, insisting both players have what it takes to turn around their fortunes at Anfield. The German, who spent just one season at the club, has urged patience with the duo following their difficult starts since joining in the summer of 2025.
Ziege's Own Liverpool Struggles
Ziege moved to Liverpool in a £5.5m switch from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2000 after the Reds matched a release clause in his contract. The club was later fined £20,000 by the FA in March 2002 for an illegal approach, while Ziege himself was fined £10,000. He lasted just one season at Anfield before being sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £4.5m.
Despite being part of the treble-winning side under Gerard Houllier and scoring in the League Cup final penalty shootout win over Birmingham City, injuries and a loss of form saw him depart. In total, he made 32 appearances for Liverpool, returning two goals and six assists, but started just 20 times and played only 16 Premier League games. He was not included in the matchday squads for the FA Cup and UEFA Cup final victories over Arsenal and Alaves.
Frimpong and Kerkez Under Pressure
Ziege sees parallels with the current situation at Anfield, where Frimpong and Kerkez have struggled to produce their best form. Frimpong, who shone as a right wing-back at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, has battled injuries and struggled to adapt to a more traditional right-back role under Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola. Kerkez has also failed to convince on the left flank following the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, Ziege said: "The full-back role is one of the most demanding positions in modern football. You're expected to push forward, cross, and support attack, while also being a top-class defender against skilful, fast wingers. It's a really tough position, so people shouldn't be overly critical. I don't view Frimpong or Kerkez negatively at all, they both have what it takes."
He added: "Frimpong can provide a huge attacking boost for Liverpool, and Kerkez is a solid, reliable full-back. Both are good options, it's not time to think about replacing them, they need to be backed."
Reflecting on His Own Move
Ziege, however, has conceded his own move to Liverpool was a mistake. Recalling the transfer in 2017, he said: "It was really a big mess and I didn't like it at all. It was a bad time, I don't like to speak about that move. I made the wrong decision. Liverpool, a massive club with a massive stadium and history. But unfortunately I had some problems there, problems with the manager. He never talked to me. There was no relationship."
He continued: "I was training hard and I asked all the assistant coaches, and my team-mates. 'What am I doing wrong? What can I do better? Do I have to train more?' Everybody said, 'no, you're doing everything you should do and you're training well'. He never told me (why I wasn't playing). There was no relationship between him as a manager and me as a player."
Ziege added: "I realised it was a bad move because I really enjoyed my time playing for Boro. Liverpool were in the UEFA Cup, which we ended up winning that year. We won the FA Cup and the League Cup, and qualified for the Champions League, so it was a great season. However, it was the wrong decision, football-wise. I didn't play enough... I didn't even get on the bench for the UEFA Cup final in Dortmund and that was a tough one to take – but that's football."
