Milos Kerkez is a 21-year-old making an attempt to settle in a aspect that’s at odds with its identification, and Arne Slot must recognise he could also be greatest suited out of the XI, for now.
You would write a prolonged checklist pointing to the problems Slot must discover a resolution for, with the defeat at Brentford appearing as yet one more exposè of the champions.
For the ninth league recreation in a row, Kerkez began over veteran Andy Robertson because the full-backs modified for yet one more match.
For the fourth time this season, although, the Hungarian didn’t see out the total 90 minutes.
Slot had pointed to a component of dangerous luck in his ahead forays, and a purpose on Sunday was a well timed increase, however that ought to not cease the pinnacle coach from being ruthless along with his £40 million signing.
Complicated instruction or misused?
Kerkez’s popularity and strengths at Bournemouth have been his attacking menace and overlapping runs, which common wing associate Cody Gakpo hasn’t readily rewarded.
Together with his capabilities within the last third dimmed and underused, and his defensive skillset coming underneath exterior scrutiny, you’re concurrently left feeling Slot isn’t certain tips on how to get probably the most from the 21-year-old, and Kerkez just isn’t absolutely understanding what he’s being requested to do.
On the eve of the journey to Brentford, Slot defined the rationale Liverpool introduced him to the membership was that “he brings numerous power to the sport, retains going up and down, and he’s superb in defending the one-vs-one conditions towards his winger as properly.
“So, defensively strong and numerous power making the overlaps.
“For me he’s been a bit unfortunate that Cody has used primarily his greatest energy of coming inside and hitting the goal, however we’ve proven Cody as properly that there have been just a few moments that possibly taking part in the ball in the direction of Milos would have been the higher choice.”
Sadly for Liverpool and Kerkez, the beginning of the season could also be doing extra hurt than good.
His lack of physicality and consciousness on the again publish has been punished quite a few instances, and the calls for of taking part in for the membership seem like weighing closely, however Liverpool can assist mitigate a knock to his confidence.
A brand new left-back was wanted in the summertime, that was by no means up for debate with an ageing Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas undeniably out of favour.
However Slot’s determination to utilise Kerkez because the third defender is a job extra beneficial to Robertson, particularly whereas the group search to claw their means into some semblance of type.
Virgil van Dijk has regarded pissed off with how Kerkez operates and, at instances, the captain seems to be pondering for the each of them, leaving him ready of indecisiveness you don’t see when the Scot is to his left.
It’s a partnership that dates again to 2018, although it has been utilized in solely 27.5 % of minutes up to now this marketing campaign, with two beginning partnerships each ending in victories.
Synergy between gamers wants time to develop, in spite of everything we’re solely 13 video games into the season (it feels for much longer, I do know), and Slot has each proper to think about Kerkez.
However is he the reply because it stands?
Steady and acquainted Andy Robertson
There is no such thing as a requirement for Slot to label both Kerkez or Robertson as his first alternative, as there are sufficient video games to go round, however restoring the Scot is the fitting place to begin for Slot.
His vice-captain has a longtime relationship with Gakpo, has a second-nature partnership with Van Dijk and, crucially, can assist inject progressive motion from the backline.
The 31-year-old just isn’t the gung-ho left-back of yesteryear, however final season he averaged 6.38 progressive passes per 90 minutes, and, as per FBref, Kerkez is averaging 4.66 this season within the Premier League.
Kerkez, per 90, manages a progressive passing distance of 193.6 yards within the league, decrease than Robertson (307.1), Ibrahima Konate (338.8) and Conor Bradley (230.5), amongst others.
And when the Hungarian does have success behind the opposition’s backline, he has but to indicate the composure required to arrange a teammate, directing a easy move to a defender or the goalkeeper as an alternative of his open teammate.
So, whereas Kerkez could add youthful exuberance, the drop-off in possession between Liverpool’s two left-back choices is a notable cause why the Reds’ build-up has suffered up to now.
That is compounded additional with Trent Alexander-Arnold now not on the membership, however Slot nonetheless has the selection to utilise Robertson in possession – he simply has to call him in his XI.
Robertson can be culpable for making a mistake (see Chelsea‘s winner), however he can add stability, aggressiveness, progressive possession, course and predictability to a aspect that’s turning into more and more chaotic and confused.
The Scot is successful story in the case of biding his time and adjusting to Liverpool’s calls for, simply ask Alberto Moreno, and there’s no cause Kerkez can’t observe an identical path.
Slot, nonetheless, must recognise that Robertson is the left-back Liverpool at present want – and meaning dropping Kerkez as his common starter.
