Liverpool has been studying Ajax's Jorrel Hato and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez as the club considers its long-term options in the left-back position of Arne Slot's team.

Andy Robertson turns 31 next month while his understudy Kostas Tsimikas, who will turn 30 next year, is not deemed a viable option as a regular first-choice pick in the position.

Robertson has had some tough moments this season, particularly during the first half of the campaign, and although his level has picked up in recent weeks, his age means Liverpool must proceed with an eye on the future.

The Times reports that Hato, 18, and Kerkez, 21, are among the players Liverpool is looking at as possible long-term replacements for Robertson.

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Speaking in December, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher suggested that the Reds should move for Kerkez, who has been brilliant for Bournemouth since arriving at the club in 2023.

Carragher was speaking during a particularly difficult period for Robertson, suggesting that the Reds should swoop for Kerkez in January, but that was always unlikely given the cost that would have been involved and how relatively rare big-money winter transfers are.

"Andy Robertson needs help, and he (Kerkez) has been a revelation at Bournemouth," Carragher said. "The only reason why I mention Liverpool is the fact that, yes, they're probably looking for someone in that position, but the fact that the sporting director who brought him to Bournemouth, Richard Hughes, is now the sporting director at Liverpool

"He's aggressive, he's got pace. Even when you look at him, he looks like a full-back. Little, really aggressive, after wingers on that side. He's just bombing up and down that left side. He's been superb since he's come into the Premier League with Bournemouth, and he's probably one to watch for the future, whether he stays at the club or moves on, because he's made that much of an impact."

In a YouTube stream during January, Kerkez responded to rumors linking him with Liverpool in a manner that Reds fans wouldn't have liked, saying: "I will not go to Liverpool. For everybody listening, I will not go to Liverpool."

It would be silly to read too much into that, though, given Kerkez was unlikely to say otherwise and risk piling unnecessary pressure on himself for the remainder of the campaign.