Why Milos Kerkez is the perfect Andrew Robertson replacement at Liverpool | OneFootball

There is currently a lot of talk about the three Liverpool stars whose contracts expire in the summer.

All the focus is on how Liverpool would replace Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah if they were to leave, and the effect it would have on Arne Slot’s team dynamics.

But perhaps one of the most important positions to address this summer is left-back. Andrew Robertson is now 31 years old, and is slowly coming to the back end of his career, in a position of key importance to Arne Slot’s side.

Robertson has been a key figure for Liverpool over the years, first signing from Hull City for just £8m in 2017. He’s gone on to make 336 appearances (and counting) for the club, scoring 11 goals, providing 66 assists and totalling 27,867 minutes.

The Scottish international has won eight trophies since joining the club, including their Champions League success in 2018-19 and their Premier League title in the 2019-20 season. However, as Slot looks to build upon his iteration of this Liverpool side, a flexible full-back who can occupy all zones on the left side and be a big part in creation is key. This is where Bournemouth‘s Milos Kerkez comes in.

Slot tends to set his back four up in a slightly more narrow configuration to other coaches, with Robertson as the left-back. As opposed to having his full-backs either overlap and provide width or invert into midfield, Slot prefers to keep his back four fairly fixed in the first phase, before allowing more fluid movements from his full-backs in the final third.

For example, if Liverpool look to progress play down the left, and Cody Gakpo drifts into the left half space to receive the ball between the lines, Robertson can then make the run on the outside, to offer a passing option and provide the width.

On the other hand, if the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch, Gakpo can hold the width on the left in order to pin the opposition fullback, allowing Robertson to take up a more central position, to either shuttle the ball across from the right to the left, or even to attack the box with a late run.

Kerkez has a similar role at Bournemouth, playing left-back in a back four, connecting with his left-wing partner and dovetailing to progress forwards and create chances. This has worked really well, especially this season under Andoni Iraola, with Kerkez making 32 appearances, scoring two goals and providing five assists.

The 21-year-old has attempted 3.19 crosses per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, completing 0.85 of those. But he has the second-most assists from open play per 90 (0.18) among Premier League left-backs this season, with only Fulham’s Antonee Robinson providing more (0.35).

Robertson makes more final third passes per 90 with 15.07 compared to Kerkez who makes just 9.03 per 90. Robertson also attempts more crosses (5.47 per 90), completing more too (1.38 per 90).

However, Liverpool average 57.2% of the ball under Arne Slot this season, the third-highest in the Premier League. Bournemouth, meanwhile, average 47.0% possession per game, the sixth-lowest in the division.

Therefore, it is comprehensible to project Kerkez to improve his numbers in Liverpool’s system with more possession of the ball. And, as can be highlighted with his open play assists and efficiency to provide those, the Hungarian could be a key creator for Liverpool in a fullback position.

The touch map from Bournemouth’s 0-2 loss against Liverpool in February shows how Milos can operate both inside and outside as a full-back, attacking the half spaces and providing overlapping runs to support his wing partner.

But Kerkez can also add the defensive bite that Robertson has bought Liverpool throughout his years, being tenacious and aggressive in the press. Kerkez wins 2.76 possessions in the defensive third, 1.66 possessions in the middle third and 0.32 possessions in the attacking third per 90.

Robertson only wins 1.87 possessions in the defensive third, wins slightly more in the middle third with 1.82, but only wins 0.18 in the attacking third.

Adding Kerkez to the mix at Liverpool would give Slot a progressive option on the left side of defence, capable of adding creative qualities to the team whilst still having the defensive tenacity and grit he needs in his defensive scheme.