Liverpool have got off to the perfect start in the Premier League this season.
Arne Slot’s men have won all five of the top-flight games that they’ve played this term and look to be one of the most dominant teams in the league.
Several players have been added to the Reds’ ranks, with Richard Hughes and Slot sanctioning a massive overhaul of their squad.
One of the main areas of the team that is set to face plenty of competition this season is left-back.
Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez both deserve to start for Liverpool, with the duo both being exceptional players.
The left-backs have interchanged positions fairly often this term, and now, Kerkez has shared what the Scotsman told him before the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
Andy Robertson ‘motivated’ Milos Kerkez before Liverpool faced Everton on Saturday
It’s surprising to see how welcoming Robertson has been of Kerkez this term.
The former Hull City man has been Liverpool’s starting left-back for as long as many can remember, and even though Kerkez is only 21 years old, he’s clearly Slot’s chosen starter.
And, ahead of Liverpool facing Everton on Saturday, Kerkez shared that Robertson went out of his way and “motivated” him before the game.
“Before the game [Saturday’s Merseyside derby], he motivated me and told me: ‘Go outside and do your thing that you were doing last season.’ So he gave me a bit of a push,” Kerkez said to BBC Sport.
“Then, after the game, he congratulated me and told me I should keep going like that. We are good. He’s a legend who did amazing things, won everything and still has quality.
“It’s not like he’s not here. He’s a squad player. This is Liverpool and we’re competing. He’s pushing me and I’m pushing him – and that’s important to have in a big club like this.”
“Obviously, you have to adapt, and the coach and the players are helping me a lot, so I’m improving a lot every day.
“I’m playing a bit different here than Bournemouth, but I’m not listening too much to outside noise.”
Milos Kerkez must get his performances to the levels he showed at Bournemouth soon
Kerkez may have only cost Liverpool £45million to sign in the summer, but at the moment, it feels like they would have been better off keeping Robertson as their starter.
Indeed, over the last couple of games, things have got a little bit better for the defender as he’s managed to perform to a much higher standard.
However, it still feels like more should be coming from the Hungarian, especially since he was voted as the best-performing left-back in the Premier League last term.
At the moment, Kerkez seems rather skittish and as if he can’t get to the levels he showed last season for one reason or another.
If things don’t improve and stay consistent, it could end up being a bad look for Slot and co.
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