Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Match Verdict
The former Liverpool pair have been discussing Milos Kerkez’s start to his Liverpool career.
Phil Thompson believes that Milos Kerkez's early Liverpool struggles have been because he's 'tried too hard'.
The Reds purchased Kerkez for a fee of £40 million from AFC Bournemouth in the summer transfer window. The left-back was one of the best in his position in the Premier League last season, recording two goals and six assists. His impressive performances earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
Kerkez was immediately installed in Arne Slot's starting line-up after his arrival. He dislodged Andy Robertson, who has won eight major trophies during his time at Anfield, including a second Premier League title in 2024-25.
Kerkez started the opening nine league games this term, but could not hit the heights he displayed at Bournemouth. After Liverpool's fourth successive top-flight loss, a 3-2 reverse at Brentford, the Hungary international was taken out of Slot's team and replaced by Robertson for the 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Robertson kept his place for Tuesday's 1-0 triumph against Real Madrid in the Champions League and is expected to feature when the Reds travel to Manchester City on Sunday. And Thompson believes that Kerkez will have to learn from the Reds vice-captain during his spell out of the XI.
What’s been said
Speaking on the Official Liverpool FC Podcast, former Liverpool captain and assistant manager Thompson said: "If Arne Slot is there, he's gone: 'Milos, just take time about, watch what we're talking about what Andy is doing and where he's going because he's far more experienced. He was one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and it it was justified what we wanted.
“The boy has come in and has tried too hard because he wants to get there. The positional play, getting there and as the ball's going to the wide player, you're engaging and then all of a sudden, the ball is laying off and he's going: ‘Oh my god, what's happened?’
“He will learn that way to play with the team formation. He is rattling into people when the ball has gone. That is experience when to stand off and when to go. He doesn't defend that far post well enough, full stop.”
‘Kerkez will be back at some point’
Jason McAteer also believes that Kerkez's desire to hit the ground running at Liverpool has failed to pay dividends. The ex-Reds midfielder said: “He's come into the team and wants to impress. He wants to do everything right but it's just unfortunate his positional play has been caught out. Liverpool have been in a bad spell and a lot of the time, it's been going down his side. He's not forged a great relationship with Virgil van Dijk but that will come.
“Robbo is not going to go forever and Kerkez will be put back in the team at some point.
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