Milos Kerkez has been one of the disappointments of the season for Liverpool after a big-money move from Bournemouth.
The left-back came with a big reputation after being named in the PFA Team of the Year last season.
The expectation had been that Kerkez would challenge Andy Robertson for the regular starting spot before gradually taking over.
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However, in a somewhat surprise move, Arne Slot threw the 21-year-old straight in, to decidedly mixed results.
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool handles the ball which later leads to a penalty to PSV Eindhoven during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield
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Prior to the November international break, Kerkez had lost his place to Robertson, who looked set to edge him out of the team. But the Hungarian returned against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and again for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven.
Saturday had been a continuation of the often poor at and times disastrous form Kerkez has shown so far this campaign, but on Wednesday he showed that he may ultimately come good for Liverpool after all.
Milos Kerkez in action for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Milos Kerkez shows what he’s made of
With problems mounting at centre-back and right-back, Slot could really do with left-back being sorted out for Liverpool.
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Kerkez was supposed to be the antidote to Robertson’s poor form throughout last season, but so far the former Bournemouth man has provided more questions than answers.
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Thankfully, that looked like it might be starting to change on Wednesday, with Kerkez delivering his most assured performance in a Liverpool shirt.
Despite a poor start for the Reds, the No. 6 was aggressive, front-footed and provided much more quality on the ball than we’ve seen from him all season long.
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“Liverpool reacted really well. More intensity, playing better football, playing it forward quickly. Cody Gakpo has been positive.”
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It was brilliant to see Kerkez finally offer some width and get beyond Cody Gakpo on the left wing, and the pair were Liverpool’s best outlet during the first-half.
Defensively the Hungary international was much improved as well, even if he did not keep the door shut 100 per cent of the time.
Kerkez now needs to use this performance as a building block to take into Liverpool’s next block of games. Keep it going, and he will solve what has become a glaring issue for Slot.
Signs of Kerkez and Cody Gakpo partnership
One of the biggest learning curves for Liverpool this season has been getting used to new partnerships all over the pitch.
Sadio Mane recently named Robertson as the best partner of his career, but the Reds currently have nothing like that level of familiarity within the team.
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Gakpo and Kerkez have had to get used to playing on the left together amid a turgid run of form for Liverpool. That has not been easy.
At times the pair have looked like chalk and cheese, like a duo that will simply never work. However, for the very first time on Wednesday, there was signs of how it could happen.
Question marks will remain over whether Gakpo is the long-term left winger that Liverpool need. But in Kerkez, it’s vital that they start to see signs of his integration into their best XI. They were there at Anfield on Wednesday.
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