Milos Kerkez of Liverpool applauds the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
Milos Kerkez of Liverpool applauds the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Milos Kerkez was withdrawn in the closing stages of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
Arne Slot has provided a Liverpool injury update on Milos Kerkez after the victory over West Ham United.
The left-back was forced off in the closing stages of the 2-0 triumph, which eased pressure on Slot after a run of three successive defeats - and nine in 12 games - was arrested. Alexander Isak scored his maiden Premier League goal for Liverpool since his £125m British record transfer before Cody Gakpo put the gloss on the triumph in stoppage-time.
Kerkez delivered an impressive performance as he kept West Ham’s dangerman Jarrod Bowen quiet for the most part. However, he went down in the closing stages and required treatment before being replaced by Andy Robertson.
Slot confirmed that the £40m summer signing from AFC Bournemouth sustained only cramp after playing three games in a week. Liverpool now turn their attention to fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds United.
Slot said at his post-match press conference: “Cramp. The only moment when Bowen had a chance was when he was out but it was nothing to do with the full-back that was in. That was the only chance they had and, as a result, the only chance Bowen had. A good performance, a good defensive performance from him. He was also a threat attacking-wise in the first half.”
Alisson Becker also required treatment during the game after he advertently clashed with team-mate Joe Gomez. Slot revealed that the goalkeeper, who returned from illness against West Ham, is fine.
‘A relief’
Liverpool were full value for collecting all three points against West Ham. They dominated the first half but failed to capitalise, with Isak, Gakpo and Florian Wirtz spurning good chances.
But they kept their composure in the second period, with Isak producing the deadly finish was on constant show at Newcastle United last season. Then in the dying embers, Gakpo’s thumping finish eased any potential nerves.
On the triumph, Slot told Sky Sports: “There's definitely a feeling of relief because if you have lost so many times then winning is important. We hardly conceded a chance. We were able to create chances ourselves. In other games we gave away a lot more than we did today.
"It helps if you don't go 1-0 down after five minutes because then you are more open. We played the game I wanted us to play.
"What I saw meant a lot to our players and our fans. The fans had to travel a long way to suport a team that has been performing poorly. On Wednesday we face Sunderland. It's a very busy schedule for everyone. This is a good first step for us - that we won and had a clean sheet."
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