Liverpool supporters are beginning to express doubts about the club's decision to invest over £45 million on Milos Kerkez following the Hungarian's rocky start at Anfield. The player faced some criticism from Arne Slot while Andy Robertson came to his defense.
The Reds decided to acquire the 21-year-old during the summer as a future successor to Robertson, who had seen a drop in performance last season. Although the Scot has been a significant figure in the Liverpool locker room and is well-liked by his teammates, his effectiveness has diminished, making the acquisition of the Hungarian player appear to be a clever move.
Nonetheless, Kerkez has had difficulties making a significant impression since arriving at Anfield, showing signs of inconsistency when given the chance to play.
Indeed, during Sunday’s thrilling victory at Turf Moor, Kerkez was cautioned after just 22 minutes and was fortunate enough to avoid receiving a second yellow card after appearing to exaggerate contact in the penalty area.
Although he escaped further punishment, Slot replaced him shortly afterward, explaining: “It was due to his yellow card. I believe the supporters felt we might lose the match if we were down to ten players.
“With Milos, I can never be completely certain that he won't commit another foul, which would lead the fans to react towards the referee.
“I thought the only way we could lose today was by being reduced to ten men.”
However, in light of this situation and his performances thus far, several Liverpool fans are questioning whether signing the raw and undisciplined player was actually a good decision.
Amid Kerkez’s challenges, he received important encouragement from the player he was meant to eventually succeed, Robertson.
The seasoned Scot shared, in remarks reported by the Daily Mail, that he aims to continue playing for as long as he can.
“I want to be on the pitch and remain the first-choice left-back, and it’s important for me to keep striving to reach the high standards I am capable of,” Robertson stated.
“The international break proved beneficial for me because I was able to play two full matches, regain my match fitness, and achieved two great outcomes for Scotland, which boosted my confidence.
“He (Kerkez) is still quite young, and we often overlook that fact. You try to assist them as much as possible, but there’s also a desire to apply pressure on them while wanting to participate in matches.
“He will be the primary left-back for Liverpool in the future, and it’s my responsibility to challenge him this season and support his development.
He simply has to continue putting in effort and not allow today's events to influence him, which they won't since he is a self-assured young man, and I will support him to the best of my abilities.
Liverpool supporters might reflect on when Robertson joined Liverpool back in 2017, making a modest transfer for £8 million from Hull.
He quickly established himself as a remarkable acquisition—one of the most economical signings in the club’s recent past—but it's easy to overlook that the Scottish player initially had a very gradual adjustment period at Anfield, with then-manager Jurgen Klopp occasionally shielding him from the pressure and patiently integrating him into the team.
Although Kerkez has not had an impressive beginning, his skills are bound to become evident eventually, and he will prove to be an asset for the Reds over time.
In other news, Liverpool has been informed that they would have to pay a fee nearing their transfer record if they wish to bring a key target to Anfield in 2026, amidst speculation that Slot has intentions to transition away from a legendary figure at Anfield.
Additionally, Liverpool is optimistic that an agreement to acquire a composed Premier League midfielder is forthcoming, following reports of a 40% decrease in his asking price, although TEAMtalk can assess whether this acquisition would be a wise decision.
Lastly, Kerkez is not the only high-profile Liverpool signing experiencing difficulties this season, as Florian Wirtz has also been unable to make an immediate impact.
In light of the German’s challenges, Slot has been advised that he may soon need to think about benching him or deploying him in a different role, especially after a shocking statistic revealed how frequently he lost possession against Burnley on Sunday.
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