Arne Slot must consider dropping one Liverpool player in particular following their 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield. The result extends their losing streak to four games, and something has to give if the Merseyside club are to make a return to form.
The visitors made a fast start when Bryan Mbeumo raced behind Virgil van Dijk and smashed a ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili with just one minute on the clock. The hosts did have chances to get back into the game - Cody Gakpo hit the post and Senne Lammens made a good stop to deny Alexander Isak.
Although the Reds rallied in the second half and equalised through Gakpo, they were then pegged back almost immediately thanks to a header from Harry Maguire. Yet another loss brings more questions for Slot, whose most pressing issue is in defence.
Liverpool Star Labelled 'Weakest Player' vs Man Utd
Liverpool manager Arne Slot applauds fans after the match
Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - October 19, 2025 Liverpool manager Arne Slot applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
While many Liverpool players failed to rise to the occasion against their rivals on Sunday, Milos Kerkez really struggled to make a significant impact on proceedings. The Hungarian was signed in the summer for £40m from Bournemouth to replace Andrew Robertson as the Reds' starting left-back, but there's every chance that Slot may already be thinking about starting the Scottish international moving forward.
From the start, United looked to attack down Liverpool's left side. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo looked to exploit the space between the Hungarian and Virgil van Dijk, leading to BBC Sport's Stephen Warnock questioning the relationship between the two.
A lack of defensive assuredness was paired with a lack of threat going forward. There was disbelief when he committed a foul throw just minutes into the game, but he barely provided any spark against a United side that has been exposed by teams since Ruben Amorim took charge.
In years gone by, Robertson would bomb up and down the left flank, giving the Merseyside club an extra man going forward. But Kerkez didn't showcase that dynamism against United, nor has he done so throughout the year, with performances repeatedly questioned.
And after his latest performance against United, supporters have taken to social media to voice their frustration over the 21-year-old's latest performance for the club. "Kerkez is so poor, so poor," one said, while other Liverpool fans took things further, casting their verdict on the move just a few games into the season. "Kerkez is a dud," one tweeted while another said, "Kerkez is our weakest player. No brain, no speed, no defence."
Liverpool's Milos Kerkez in action with Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo
Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - October 19, 2025 Liverpool's Milos Kerkez in action with Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo REUTERS/Phil Noble
A few believe that Kerkez's performances are part of a wider issue within the team. One supporter said, "No cohesion whatsoever. Kerkez is frustrating me so much," while another also included other players who are struggling: "Kerkez Isak Van Dijk Konate and Salah look utterly abysmal."
Others have simply called for Robertson to be reinstated to the lineup. One fan stated, "Andy Robertson has to come on now... Kerkez is absolutely shocking," and another shared that sentiment: "Kerkez looks so out of his depth that I'm wishing Robbo starts instead knowing full well his legs are gone."
Although there may be questions over whether Robertson can play a full 90 minutes in this dynamic Liverpool side, keeping an out-of-form Kerkez in the line-up is causing more harm to his confidence than good. Before things go from bad to worse, Slot really must consider replacing him.