Milos Kerkez Liverpool
© IMAGO - Milos Kerkez Liverpool
Today’s game against Fulham was the starkest indication yet that Liverpool have a left-back problem.
Andy Robertson’s performances haven’t been up to his usual level for the majority of the season. He has shown flashes, with a good performance against Manchester City for example, but for the large part he has struggled to lock down the Premier League’s dynamic wingers.
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The issue has come to a head recently, giving away penalties against Southampton and Real Madrid, before today’s performance where he deflected Andreas Pereira’s shot into his own net before not even realising Harry Wilson was behind him and hacking him down for a straight red card inside 17 minutes.
It’s becoming evident that Liverpool are going to have to make a replacement in the position if they want to sustain title challenges long-term under Arne Slot.
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has been reported as one option. His performance today was as good as any at Anfield this season.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is another. Anfield Watch revealed in an exclusive that Liverpool are entering talks with the player.
Kerkez wants Liverpool move
And in an interview with The Guardian, Kerkez explained how he is just what Liverpool are looking for.
“Maybe people see how much I go forward and they forget about my defending but the first thing I’m good at is defending, one v one, in the duels.” the Hungarian said,
“Anything extra is a bonus, because I have the energy to do it, so why not? It is the best thing for us as defenders, to lock down the wingers.”
And when asked if any particular matchup has proved satisfying, Kerkez answered, “I don’t care who is there. I just do my job.”
His confidence in his own defending ability is sending exactly one message to Liverpool: come and get me.
Strength in the defensive phases, one-on-one duels, and primarily actually knowing where your man is, would improve Liverpool’s defensive performances tenfold from what is being seen at the moment.
And Kerkez is right. He’s averaging 2.68 tackles and interceptions per-90 at the moment compared to Robertson’s 1.93, winning 55.7% of his duels to Robertson’s 50%.
His workrate and output would be an incredibly welcome presence down Liverpool’s left side. And, as it happens, necessary.
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