Arne Slot was asked about his continued faith in Milos Kerkez as first-choice left-back, avoiding the question as he instead explaining why his No. 6 has been “a bit unlucky.”
Kerkez has been Slot’s preferred starter at left-back since his £40 million move from Bournemouth, but there has been outside scrutiny over that decision.
With the Hungarian yet to truly demonstrate the level of performance that earned his switch to Anfield – particularly as a devastating attacking threat – there have been calls to restore Andy Robertson to the starting lineup.
Questioned on what gives Kerkez the edge over Robertson, Slot turned the focus to why he feels his left-back has been “a bit unlucky” so far.
“I don’t think it’s the place for me to say this over here, because then I have to say something about Robbo as well,” he told his pre-Brentford press conference.
“The reason why we brought him in, that I can tell you.
“It’s that he brings a lot of energy to the game, keeps going up and down, and he’s very good in defending the one-vs-one situations against his winger as well.
“So, defensively solid and a lot of energy making the overlaps.
“For me he’s been a bit unlucky that Cody has used mainly his biggest strength of coming inside and hitting the target, but we’ve shown Cody as well that there were a few moments that maybe playing the ball towards Milos would have been the better option.
“So again, an example of two players playing together who need to find their connection even better than they already do.
“That’s why we brought him in and I think that’s a better answer to your question than starting to compare him with Robbo.”
Gakpo to work on his partnership with Kerkez
There has been a clear sense that Kerkez and Cody Gakpo are yet to truly find an understanding as Liverpool’s new left-sided pairing.
It is Gakpo’s natural tendency to cut inside onto his right foot and that has proved hugely effective on an number of occasions already this season for both club and country.
But it negates Kerkez’s quality as an overlapping left-back, which has perhaps led to perceptions of his role being limited by Slot’s tactical approach.
The head coach’s belief remains that this connection with Gakpo will develop over time – and given there have been direct instructions to the winger to make the most of Kerkez, that could come sooner rather than later.
Kerkez is set to replace Robertson at left-back when Liverpool visit Brentford on Saturday night, as one of a number of planned changes from the midweek win at Frankfurt.
Fan Comments