Milos Kerkez has improved a great deal in the last few weeks after a tricky start to life at Liverpool.
Earlier this season, former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew claimed Kerkez had been ‘found out’ on the back of his move to Anfield.
A harsh claim, perhaps, but it was clear the Hungarian was struggling to adapt to life under Arne Slot.
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After Florian Wirtz missed training, who should replace him vs Leeds?
Is Cody Gakpo the answer…
Florian Wirtz applauds after Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Deutsche Bank Park (Credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road (Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington).
Phot credit: Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Molly Darlington
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However, that has changed following Liverpool’s frontline being shaken up in the last month.
With Cody Gakpo injured, the left-back has recently been playing behind fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz and Kerkez have excelled together, with the latter explaining the newfound connection between the pair.
Speaking in December, he said: “At the moment, there’s a good connection between me and Flo [Wirtz]. We’re playing well and I hope it keeps going.
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“I like [the change in shape] because I have more freedom with Flo. We are moving, passing and playing a lot of one-twos. I felt like I was in the opposition box a lot more and crossing.
“Also defending is my first job so it’s getting better and I’m happy about it. It was a tough period for everyone.”
But that left-hand-side link-up could now come to an end this weekend versus Leeds United.
Florian Wirtz’s absence could hinder Milos Kerkez
It has been reported this week that Wirtz missed training ahead of Leeds for an unspecified reason.
Whether the German has picked up an injury or not remains to be seen, but Kerkez must be worried about what could now happen.
With Alexander Isak out of action, it seems very likely that following his return to the squad last time out, Slot will put Gakpo back into the eleven ahead of Kerkez.
The Dutchman has not been great when used off the left this season, and it’s likely his return will hinder the form of Liverpool’s left-back.
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Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Gakpo’s connection with Kerkez was poor, with Slot even coming out and saying that the Dutchman needed to link up with the Hungarian more.
It’s no coincidence that the 22-year-old has been so much better when Wirtz or Isak have started ahead of him this season.
Gakpo’s insistence on constantly cutting inside and not passing out wide has hindered the left-back and made him struggle at both ends of the pitch.
There was a clear correlation with the ex-PSV man being forced out of the squad and Kerkez finally starting to improve. But now Wirtz’s potential involvement versus Leeds is up in the air, fans may once again be forced to watch an uncoordinated left-hand side this weekend, which isn’t ideal for anyone.
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