Milos Kerkez was substituted for Liverpool just before half-time against Burnley despite not appearing to be injured.
The left-back, who signed from Bournemouth in a £40million move during the summer, endured a disappointing first half at Turf Moor.
Kerkez was shown a yellow card in the 22nd minute for his attempt to win a penalty
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Kerkez was shown a yellow card in the 22nd minute for his attempt to win a penalty
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Kerkez was booked by referee Michael Oliver for simulation having tried to win a first half penalty when battling with Josh Laurent.
He also committed two fouls, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot deciding to make a change in the 38th minute.
Kerkez was substituted for Andy Robertson in a move that received praise by former Arsenal forward Perry Groves.
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“Arne Slot just made a very, very good tactical decision,” he said on commentary for talkSPORT.
“We mentioned that Kerkez has got booked for diving and quite rightly so from Michael Oliver. Then he had another foul, which was just a coming together.
“I think Arne Slot looked at him and thought, ‘You’ve got one more foul and you’re going to be sent off’.
“He’s put on Robertson, which I think is really good management because there’s so many times where you see players get booked wherever they’re in midfield or at the back.
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“As you’ve got five subs now and you’ve got your one foul away from getting sent off. I think it’s a really good decision from Arne Slot.”
Fans were also quick to praise Slot’s ruthless decision.
One said on X: “One of my favourite things about Slot is how proactive he is, even if it comes off as ruthless.”
Slot then made the bold call to bring him off the pitch before the break
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Slot then made the bold call to bring him off the pitch before the break
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Kerkez was way off the pace on Sunday afternoon
Kerkez was way off the pace on Sunday afternoon
“Slot can be incredibly ruthless at times. It’s refreshing,” a second said.
Slot made another substitution at the beginning of the second half as Alexis Mac Allister made way for Conor Bradley.
The Argentine appeared to pick up a knock from an earlier challenge by Lesley Ugochukwu, who was booked.
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Liverpool travelled to Burnley without Alexander Isak in their squad.
The £125m British transfer record signing from Newcastle could make his first appearance for the club very soon though.
When could Isak make his Liverpool debut?
Slot said: “We think that in a week where we play three games in seven days, this is the best lead-up for him to be available againstAtletico Madrid.”