Milos Kerkez has admitted he is already feeling the emotional weight of Mohamed Salah’s expected Liverpool exit, despite only just arriving at Anfield himself.
The Hungarian left-back has settled into life on Merseyside after a difficult start, forming a close bond with senior figures in the squad, none more so than Salah.
But with the Egyptian now heading towards the end of his Liverpool journey, Kerkez revealed after Wednesday’s 2-0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain that it is a situation he is struggling to come to terms with.
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Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
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Kerkez disappointed to have only one year with Salah
The spotlight was on Salah on Wednesday after Arne Slot chose to leave him on the bench for the full 90 minutes against PSG.
That only added to the feeling of an era ending at Liverpool, and when asked about the prospect of the legendary winger leaving by TNT Sports Brasil, Kerkez admitted that it has affected him.
“Yeah, we’re really close,” said the 22-year-old. “He took me under his wing since I arrived, him and Dom [Szoboszlai], and yeah, I’ve been really close with him.
“Obviously, it’s really sad for me to see that, to know that he won’t be here next year and I just came. So yeah, it’s a bit sad, but I’m just going to enjoy this one and a half, two months with him and yeah, then I’m going to wish him good luck for whatever he chooses next.”
Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Kerkez’s comments feel particularly poignant in the wake of Liverpool’s defeat to PSG, where Salah cut a frustrated figure on a night when the Reds struggled to impose themselves.
For a new arrival like Kerkez, moments like these only underline just how influential Salah remains in the Reds dressing room. The 33-year-old has long been one of Liverpool’s driving forces, and despite his declining impact on the pitch, his presence is clearly being felt by those who have only recently walked through the door.
That sense of loss is already creeping in. Kerkez hasn’t had years alongside Salah, just months, and yet the impact has been immediate.
With Liverpool now facing a crucial final stretch of the season, the focus will be on ending Salah’s time at the club on a high. For Kerkez, though, there’s also a personal element: making the most of every remaining moment alongside a player who has already left a lasting impression.
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