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Liverpool already knows perfect answer to Andy Robertson problem after Man City masterclass

james findlater
·4-min read
Andy Robertson has struggled somewhat for Liverpool this season
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Things couldn’t be going much better for Arne Slot at Liverpool, although there is one area of his side that has provided a slight worry this season.

You certainly can’t find many faults with the Reds at the moment. Sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and well-placed to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League – it’s certainly been a dream start to the new era at Anfield.

Andy Robertson though is one of the few players who won’t be all that pleased at the moment. It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Scot, and what was once an all-but secure position is coming under more scrutiny than ever.

Robertson hasn’t quite found his usual form as yet, and was given a difficult time by Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka recently. His form has seen Kostas Tsimikas handed more chances in the Premier League and Champions League than usual, with the Greek preferred for the visit of Brighton on Saturday.

Slot has played down the concerns from supporters over Robertson’s performances, insisting that injuries and the change in leadership haven’t helped him – the Scot missed much of pre-season through injury after leading his country at Euro 2024.

"For me he is a bit in that period of time where he is thinking ‘OK, I’m here now, should I be here or there?’. That’s something I’ve seen a lot from other players in the past. The moment he stops thinking but is just acting on what we expect then he will be fine. That, combined with the fact that Robbo has always been a great player for this club, especially because he went up and down, up and down all the time.

"Therefore he needs to have some time because he missed out on pre-season to come back to that up and down, up and down fullback all the time. I see him coming there more and more, that’s the good thing." While he comes in and out of the team though, the concerns will remain for many fans. After all, we have seen this before. Fabinho is the ultimate example, with the Brazilian a shadow of himself in his final season at Anfield.

Robertson isn’t quite at that point yet, but Liverpool has had issues with players deteriorating once they get beyond their peak years. Left-back may therefore become an area that the Reds have to target for a new signing soon, and the ideal candidate may have just put himself forward.

Milos Kerkez impressed for Bournemouth against Manchester City
Milos Kerkez impressed for Bournemouth against Manchester City -Credit:Getty Images

Milos Kerkez has been enjoying a fine season with Bournemouth, with the 20-year-old having started all 10 of the Cherries’ league games so far. He saved his best for the biggest test at the weekend though.

The Hungarian was outstanding as Bournemouth beat defending champions Manchester City. Kerkez provided both assists for Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson, while also ensuring Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t find a way back into the game defensively.

That’s not the only time he has impressed though. Even in Bournemouth’s 3-0 defeat at Anfield earlier this season, Kerkez still managed to impress at fullback, and reports since have suggested Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on him.

Just a few days ago, TeamTalk suggested that Kerkez was being eyed up as a long-term replacement for Robertson. Although there might not be much to the claims at the moment, the defender does have a couple of big connections to Liverpool.

Having joined Bournemouth just last year, Kerkez would of course have been signed by Richard Hughes, so it would be safe to assume the Reds’ sporting director has been impressed by him. With 21 caps already under his belt for Hungary, Dominik Szoboszlai could probably give him a glowing review as well.

It should be said that Kerkez’s two assists at the weekend were his first this season, so he isn’t quite producing the numbers that you’d come to expect from a Liverpool fullback. Time is certainly on his side though, so he could develop that side of his game under Slot, and his performance against City suggests it might not need too much work.

Kerkez is certainly a growing star in the Premier League, and while Slot and Liverpool are keeping the faith with Robertson, they should keep their eye on the Hungarian as a potential future signing.