Theo Squires on the changing of the guard in the Liverpool full-back positions after Milos Kerkez's arrival
Andy Robertson of Liverpool and Milos Kerkez being unveiled as a Liverpool player
Andy Robertson of Liverpool and Milos Kerkez being unveiled as a Liverpool player
(Image: Getty Images)
It has been eight years since Liverpool last started a season when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were not the undisputed first-choice full-backs. The former was still only 18 years old when the 2017/18 season began, having made 12 appearances for the club in his breakthrough campaign the year before, and would initially share right-back duties with Joe Gomez.
Meanwhile, Robertson was a new signing at Anfield, having joined from relegated Hull City in an initial £8m deal.
The then 23-year-old took time to settle at Anfield as Alberto Moreno remained ahead of him in the pecking order. But an untimely injury suffered by the Spaniard in December opened the door to the Scot and he did not look back.
Both Robertson and Alexander-Arnold cemented starting status under Jurgen Klopp as the campaign wore on - culminating with a first Champions League final appearance against Real Madrid in Kiev. But now, eight years on, and it is time for change.
The latter has left his boyhood club for Real Madrid, departing in a deal worth £10m to Liverpool after choosing to see out his contract at Anfield.
Meanwhile, the former is about to enter his own final year of his contract with his future uncertain as a result. The Scotland captain has admitted he is considering his options as a result, well-aware the club were looking to sign a new left-back.
Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong when it became clear Alexander-Arnold would depart, as the Reds activated a £29.5m release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract. The Netherlands international, who will compete with Conor Bradley for starting status, became the club’s most expensive full-back in the process.
But less than a month later and that record has been broken again after Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth in a £40m deal.
The Hungary international’s arrival will almost certainly lead to a left-back exit at Anfield, be that Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas. Both have had their suitors.
Robertson has been weighing up interest from Atletico Madrid, while newly-promoted Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have both been linked with Tsimikas.
When last season ended, with Liverpool the new Premier League champions, it was the Greek many expected to move on. But then Atletico’s interest in Robertson materialised.
It coincided with the publication of a recent interview with Tsimikas, where he admitted that while there was a temptation to pursue starting opportunities elsewhere, he is also content with his current role at Anfield.
But with Atletico Madrid now reportedly closing in on the signing of Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta as their new left wing back, the tide could be about to turn again.
Consequently, the jury is still out on which left-back will leave Liverpool this summer.
But while Kerkez is expected to be first-choice, the 21-year-old has made it clear where he stands on the subject.
A big admirer of Robertson, the Hungarian wants the Scotland international to stay put.
“Obviously I watched a lot. I'm 21, so I started to watch when I was 13, 14 and to be really into Liverpool,” he admitted to club media. “Obviously I remember a lot of legends, let's say obviously in the left-back [position].
“I watched a lot of clips of John Arne Riise. And [Andy] Robertson also I love a lot – I watched a lot of videos and games of him.
“I watched a lot of videos and he (Riise) was also a machine player. Same for Robertson – I love him a lot. I'm still young, I want to learn a lot and improve and hopefully get on their level one day.
“I had a conversation with my brothers and we always say that, also for me personally, Robbo is the best left-back that played in the Premier League, for me, and my brothers agree on that also.
“So, to come and to be next to such a player who has so much experience, played so many years on a high level, won the Champions League and everything, it's important for me.
“Like I said, all the guys are good and they're all going to help me to reach a higher potential. I'm looking forward to it.”
If Atletico’s head has indeed turned elsewhere, Kerkez could at least get his wish. And no-one at Liverpool will be complaining if he spends his first season at Anfield learning from one of his idols in Robertson.
But Robertson still has a difficult decision to make as he weighs up his future. Let's not forget there is a World Cup at the end of the season which Scotland will hope to take part in.
And having seen injury impact him at Euro 2024, he will want to be at his absolute best for his country next summer.
If he is willing to fight for his place - and maybe even a new contract - at Anfield, Robertson will be retained with welcome arms. But if he wishes to pursue a new challenge elsewhere, no-one would begrudge him an exit either.
It is already a changing of the guard at Liverpool, with Alexander-Arnold exiting and Robertson's undisputed starting status seemingly no longer in his grasp. Only time will tell if it ends up being a complete overhaul this summer.
With Kerkez now officially a Liverpool player, at least one left-back will have to move on. And while the identity of such a departee remains up in the air, the arrival of the Hungarian has at least pushed the Reds a little closer to that final transfer decision.