Liverpool showed their best and worst sides in their opening night victory against Bournemouth on Friday.
New striker Hugo Ekitike impressed with a goal and assist, but the defensive errors that were present in Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace were on show again as Bournemouth scored twice in the second half.
Arne Slot will be happy that his defending champions showed spirit to come back and secure the win late on, while he admitted there is still room for improvement in defence.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates his team's second goal scored by teammate Cody Gakpo during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Summer signing Milos Kerkez looked rusty in his new system and was replaced by long-serving fan favourite Andy Robertson in the second half. And pundit Gary Neville believes Robertson will have an important role to play this season.
Gary Neville backs Andy Robertson to help new Liverpool signing Milos Kerkez
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called Milos Kerkez ‘the best left-back in the Premier League last season’.
Kerkez struggled against Bournemouth at times, and Carragher warned him to ‘put the brakes on’ when closing opponents down, urging patience with the new man.
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool comes on as a substitute for teammate Milos Kerkez during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Fellow pundit Gary Neville then pointed to Liverpool icon Andy Robertson as a full-back who can help Kerkez integrate but also keep some consistency in the defence.
Neville said: “you talked about basically those players in the dressing room with [Virgil] Van Dijk – obviously Alisson and [Mohamed] Salah – but Robertson is going to be really important.”
Gary Neville thinks Andy Robertson will stay at Liverpool this summer
With Kerkez signed to be Robertson’s replacement at Liverpool, there has been some speculation that Robertson could look to leave and play regularly elsewhere to see out his career.
However, Neville thinks the Scotland captain still has an ‘enormous’ role to play this season, even if he is not playing every week.
Liverpool Training Session
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“Not just as backup to Kerkez, but he’s a really good pro,” Neville said of Robertson. “I think you can’t have enough of those types of players.
“I know there’s a thing nowadays, maybe that players don’t like being on the bench and they like to move somewhere else when they get to the end of their careers.
“I think Andy Robertson can stay this season to play 25–30 matches. He’ll contribute enormously to Liverpool, particularly back in that ladder.”
Robertson earned a huge ovation when he replaced Kerkez against Bournemouth and knows if he stays at Liverpool he will continue to be revered by the Anfield faithful.