Milos Kerkez could make his competitive debut for Liverpool against his current club, Bournemouth, assuming that a transfer deal for the Hungarian left-back gets over the line.
The 21-year-old and his family have offered no shortage of hints that Kerkez could move to Anfield this summer. Bournemouth is seeking around $60 million (£45 million) for his services, and has already snapped up Adrien Truffert as a replacement.
And the Premier League fixtures were released today, with Bournemouth coming to Liverpool on the opening day of the campaign. That game will take place at 8pm UK time (3pm ET) on Friday, August 15.
Liverpool has friendlies against Preston North End, AC Milan, Yokohama Mariners and Athletic Club, before it plays Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield.
"It's only Liverpool for us and we're not going anywhere else and we won't talk to other clubs," Kerkez's father said earlier this week. "Everything is done between us. We just need to sort out some details but it's basically a done deal."
Kerkez's brother, Marko, also reposted an Instagram snap that suggested the deal is nearly done. Marko shared a story of his brother on a speedboat, adding the caption: "Milos Kerkez, soon to be a new Liverpool player."
Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth
Kerkez is edging closer to joining Liverpool (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
With Kerkez appearing to be on the way to Anfield, Andy Robertson is of interest to Atletico Madrid. The Scot only has a year left on his contract and Diego Simeone is keen to add him to his roster.
"We have discussed it, of course we have," Robertson said last week when he was asked about his future. "We've had good discussions with me and the club but what the future holds I am not sure.
"You know all I know is tomorrow I fly off on holiday and it is well needed. I need a rest after a long season and then I look forward to pre-season.
"That's all my focus is, I can't look too far ahead. I never have done that so I am not going to start doing that now.
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"I know the position I am in and I have only got a year left and a lot is getting spoken about and getting said but my full focus is, you know, focusing on being a dad for the next couple of weeks and enjoying that time with the kids."
Liverpool.com says: Kerkez is going to be a great signing for the Reds. He looks like a younger version of Robertson, which is exactly what Arne Slot needs.
At something close to $60M, it won't be a cheap deal for Liverpool to conclude. The Reds, though, are in a position to spend big and would be snapping up the best left-back in the Premier League in the season just gone.