Milos Kerkez has had an up-and-down debut season at Liverpool.
Since arriving from Bournemouth in the summer, he has had some really good moments in a Liverpool shirt, but they haven’t been frequent enough. The team’s poor form hasn’t done him any favours.
Kerkez was brought in to replace Andy Robertson, who is leaving at the end of the season, and there are real question marks over his readiness to take on that role. Arne Slot only has three games to figure out if this is the long-term solution or if he needs to go in another direction.
How do you feel about Liverpool players taking ‘city trips’ on private jets days before big games?
And then going on to play abysmally…
Arne Slot has to start Milos Kerkez for the rest of Liverpool’s games
When a figure as legendary as Robertson is preparing to leave, the temptation is to give him as much time as possible to end his time at Anfield on a high.
That’s the sentimental perspective, but it would be ill-advised in this case. Liverpool have to look to the future rather than the past, and if fitness permits, Kerkez should be starting against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford.
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Liverpool have secured top five in the Premier League, barring an absolute capitulation, so these are not make-or-break games. They are, however, the last opportunity to watch Kerkez before making decisions this summer.
We know how good he can be — his time at the Vitality Stadium is clear evidence of quality — but whether he can cope with the pressure that comes with the badge is a separate question.
At 22, Kerkez has so much time to improve, and sticking with him feels like the Liverpool move. That being said, if he isn’t going to be relied upon to start important matches in the coming weeks, it doesn’t provide much encouragement for next season.
There’s so much work to do in the summer window, and it’s not going to be cheap. The Hungarian signed for £40 million, and it would be wise to recoup the investment if he isn’t going to be a starter.
Are you worried about Milos Kerkez?
“All of a sudden I think he has lost faith in Kerkez”
– Chris Sutton
Slot needs to give Kerkez as many minutes as possible this month to gauge that situation. If he looks completely out of his depth, tough conversations may be had.
Robertson’s Liverpool farewell can go on as planned. He can come on as a substitute in every match and receive the adoration from Anfield while Liverpool plan for what comes next.
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