'Electric' Milos Kerkez will Redefine Liverpool's Left-Side
Milos Kerkez: A Transfer Masterstroke by Liverpool
As Liverpool prepare to defend their Premier League crown under Arne Slot, the summer transfer window has offered early evidence that the club mean business. Reports suggesting that Milos Kerkez is on the verge of sealing a £45million move to Anfield are more than just intriguing. It’s an exceptional piece of business, which will strike fear into the chasing pack. Kerkez is the kind of player who will shift the dynamic of the entire side, not just in the left-back area.
This is the type of deal that shows Liverpool are once again thinking long term, but with immediate impact in mind. A 21-year-old with Premier League experience, already showing traits of a top-level operator, and reportedly turning down international duty for ‘private reasons’ as he edges closer to Merseyside, it all adds to a very smart piece of business. Let’s explain why this transfer could be transformative for Liverpool and how it affects the current landscape, especially for Andy Robertson.
Why Kerkez Changes Everything for Liverpool
One of the loudest criticisms last season, despite winning the league under Arne Slot, was that Liverpool were too right-side heavy. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah naturally dominated the attacking phases, while the left side often felt prone to any counterattack. That imbalance saw Andy Robertson exposed, both physically and tactically. Add Kostas Tsimikas’s inconsistent performances and awkward fits in certain games, and the problem becomes even clearer.
Enter Kerkez. The Hungarian international isn’t just a plug-and-play left-back. He’s a player with elite-level stamina, a desire to overlap relentlessly and a tactical intelligence that allows him to be much more than just a defender. He’s a flying full-back who can press on the front-foot like a winger and provide immense defensive stability. In many ways, he feels like the next evolution of Andy Robertson, a marauder with more flair and finesse.
What this does for Liverpool is immense. The team immediately becomes more balanced, giving the left side the same dynamism that the right has enjoyed for years. It frees up Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo, whoever plays ahead of Kerkez, to cut inside with confidence, knowing there’s a constant outlet on the overlap. When breaking down deep blocks is essential in tight games, firing both flanks makes a massive difference. Then you have the incoming Florian Wirtz connecting the play through the middle.
Robertson’s New Role: From Starter to Mentor
This doesn’t mean Andy Robertson is finished, not by a long shot. The Scotsman has been one of the best full-backs in the world for several years and remains a leader on and off the pitch. But with age and injuries creeping in, it’s the right moment to rethink his role.
With Kerkez likely to become the first-choice left-back, Robertson’s experience becomes invaluable in a different way. Mentorship, leadership and rotation will define his next chapter at Liverpool. And he’s the ideal person to help Kerkez adapt to the unique intensity of life at Anfield. Just as James Milner once mentored Robertson, now Robbo can guide the next star.
In a season where Liverpool will be fighting across multiple fronts, including Europe, having depth and variety at left back is essential. Robertson will still get plenty of minutes. His story at Liverpool isn’t ending.
Slot’s Tactical Blueprint and Kerkez’s Perfect Fit
It’s no secret that Arne Slot’s brand of football relies heavily on full-backs who are tactically aware and fearless in attack. Kerkez fits that blueprint perfectly.
This signing also speaks to a broader shift in how Liverpool want to function. Rather than building around a singular star, the idea seems to be creating a team full of multi-functional players who can adapt mid-match. Kerkez’s ability to overlap, or sit deeper depending on game state, adds a layer of flexibility that Liverpool sorely missed in spells last season.
With Virgil van Dijk marshalling the back line and Kerkez likely slotting in beside him, Liverpool could be looking at a formidable left side again. And that means more freedom for Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wirtz to cause havoc in the final third.
Tsimikas, Departures and Smart Squad Building
One likely casualty of the Kerkez signing is Kostas Tsimikas. While the Greek international has been a loyal servant, it’s clear that he doesn’t quite fit the mould of this Liverpool team's needs moving forward. With interest from Leeds United and Olympiacos, a £15million move seems both likely and reasonable.
What’s clever here is the financial sense behind the move. Spending £45million on Kerkez while recouping £15million for Tsimikas is a net spend of £30million for a generational upgrade. In today’s market, where bang-average players can go for absurd fees, that’s a tidy bit of work by the Liverpool recruitment team.
More importantly, it shows a plan. This isn’t just reacting to market trends or panic buying. This is calculated, deliberate squad building that has been in the works for many months.
Final Thoughts
It’s not often you look at a signing and think, “This guy changes everything.” But that’s precisely how I feel about Milos Kerkez. He’s more than just a left-back. He’s an electric signing. A player that brings balance, pace and ability all in one.
Liverpool have had brilliant left-backs before. But Kerkez feels like the next step, a player designed for the modern game and perfect for Arne Slot’s tactical plans. His presence elevates those around him, offers competition and guidance for Robertson and brings out the best in the left-sided attackers who have sometimes looked isolated.
If this deal gets confirmed this week, as expected, it won’t just be a great bit of business. It will be one of the defining moves of the summer. And I couldn’t be more excited.