Arne Slot has been warned why signing Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri for Liverpool could be a really bad idea

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Liverpool are on the lookout for a new left-back ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The futures of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas remain uncertain at Liverpool, but it is expected that only the Greek international will leave this summer.

The Scottish defender would then depart the Merseyside club when his contract expires in 2026, which makes a young full-back the perfect option to replace him.

Milos Kerkez has been linked to Liverpool as the 21-year-old is the perfect age and profile to fill the void left by Robertson after many years as the Reds’ left-back.

Liverpool have also shown interest in Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri in the past, but the 23-year-old is a player the Premier League leaders should avoid after a recent observation.

• READ MORE: Andy Robertson reveals how he is dealing with being rotated by Arne Slot at Liverpool this season

Liverpool should avoid signing Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri

It is not hard to see why Liverpool like Ait-Nouri as the wing-back is young, has a very attacking style of play, and would not cost the Reds much as the Wolves star is out of contract in 2026 – the Midlands club are said to be looking for £37m.

The Algerian international is a key player for Vitor Pereira and the defender has provided his team with four goals and five assists across 29 games this season.

Ait-Nouri was impressive at Anfield when Wolves took on the Reds recently and Arne Slot’s eye would have certainly been drawn to the player, however, the Dutch coach should not move for the Premier League star.

The wing-back has shown to have disciplinary problems this season, evident in Wolves’ match with Ipswich, in which the defender slapped an opponent and lost his cool after the full-time whistle, which resulted in the 23-year-old being shown a red card.

In addition to this, Wolves reporter Liam Keen has admitted that he has concerns that Ait-Nouri is not fit enough and that he struggles to reach the latter stages of matches.

“I felt he’d turned a corner with this, but I have to agree, he does wilt a little bit,” Keen said about Ait-Nouri on the E&S Wolves podcast.

“I think fitness is something a few managers have been critical of this squad, as a whole, when they’ve come in, Vitor hasn’t really targeted that in any of his press conferences, but it’s something Wolves have to be better at.”

Liverpool will be aware of this and although Ait Nouri is a talented player, the defender seems like a bit of a loose cannon who could cost his team at any moment.

• READ MORE: Arne Slot has to do something Mohamed Salah won’t like to ensure Liverpool win the Champions League this season

Liverpool’s best option to address left-back issues

Jamie Carragher has called for Liverpool to sign a defender who can play as a left-back and has a left-sided centre-back.

For this role, Jorrell Hato would be the perfect option for Liverpool and the Dutch talent is a player Slot likes.

However, Kerkez is the star the Reds should be chasing as the Hungarian talent would fit in seamlessly into Liverpool’s team given the similarities between the 21-year-old and Robertson.

The left-back has an attacking side of play and his stats in the Premier League back that up, but is also capable of doing the defensive side of the game.

Kerkez is out of contract with Bournemouth in 2028, which means the Hungary international could cost Liverpool a nice bit of money as the Cherries are in no rush to sell.

Given his age and talent, a big-money move would be worth it, as the youngster will develop further under Slot and might even be sold for a profit down the line.