Andy Robertson has defended Milos Kerkez after the Liverpool left-back endured a difficult time at Burnley on Sunday afternoon
Andy Robertson of Liverpool comes on for Milos Kerkez during the Premier League match at Burnley on September 14 2025
Andy Robertson of Liverpool comes on for Milos Kerkez during the Premier League match at Burnley on September 14 2025
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andy Robertson has leapt to the defence of left-back rival Milos Kerkez after the £40million man suffered a nightmare at Burnley. Kerkez was dragged off before half-time on Sunday afternoon with boss Arne Slot later admitting he substituted the summer signing from Bournemouth to prevent him being sent off having earlier been booked for diving.
Robertson, who has lost his regular starting role to Kerkez this season, replaced the 20-year-old and ultimately helped Liverpool to a 1-0 victory that moved them three points clear at the top of the early Premier League table.
And the new Reds vice-captain has vowed to support Kerkez through any teething troubles while also pressuring the youngster for a place in the side.
“He has come in and was fantastic for Bournemouth last season," said Robertson. "He's only young and I think we forget that, all the new signings are young but have incredible potential and they are the future of the club and you try to help them as much as you can.
"But you want to put pressure on them and you want to play games.
"He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it's up to me to push him this season and help him improve. He has a fantastic future ahead of him and he just needs to keep working hard and not let (Sunday) affect him, which it won't as he's a confident lad.
"I'll help him as much as I can but I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do as well."
Robertson added: "The international break was good for me as I was able to get two 90 minutes and get that match fitness and two really good results for Scotland and I took a lot of confidence from that.
"(At Burnley) you just have to be ready to be there at any moment, probably a bit earlier than expected but when you get booked in a game like this it is always difficult."
Robertson took several months to settle at Anfield after arriving from Hull City eight years ago, and can empathise with the difficulties faced by Kerkez.
“It's a massive jump," he said. "I came from Hull, he's come from Bournemouth and it's probably quite similar. There are a lot more eyes on you in a Liverpool jersey than it is than those two clubs.
"He has transitioned well, there's a lot of information and a lot of different ways of playing and he just needs to keep going and keep his confidence.
"We'll try to help him and others throughout the season and I have no doubt in the future he will be a fantastic left-back for Liverpool and that's the main thing."
Robertson will now be pressing for a first start of the season when Atletico Madrid - who were interested in signing the 31-year-old during the recent transfer window - visit for the Champions League opener on Wednesday evening.
And asked if there was a chance he could have moved to Diego Simeone's side, Robertson said: "Maybe at one point.
"It's a tough game for us, the Champions League is always so difficult.
"They are a really good team, with really good players and a really good manager – but so are we. If we can play to the levels we can do in front of an Anfield crowd we can cause any team problems and we need to do it again this year to get a place in the last 16."