Liverpool are making a major statement of intent by moving quickly to secure their transfer targets in the 2025 summer transfer window before the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The Reds want to ensure they can defend their league title strongly and have already announced the signings of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
However, their transfer business is hardly done yet.
Arne Slot’s side have reportedly struck an agreement with AFC Bournemouth for the signing of their energetic full-back, Milos Kerkez.
Liverpool are rumoured to be ready to pay a fee of £40 million for the Hungarian defender’s acquisition, to add more steel to their defensive line.
Kerkez is being sought by the Reds to add more sturdiness to their left-back position amid some uncertainty over the long-term future of experienced defender Andy Robertson. So, how can Milos Kerkez’s signing really benefit Liverpool?
How Did Milos Kerkez Perform In 2024/25 Season?
Milos Kerkez was one of the standout performers for AFC Bournemouth, who secured a ninth-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Hungarian defender played in all 38 matches for the Cherries, being a trusted individual for manager Andoni Iraola.
The 21-year-old defender helped Bournemouth keep nine clean sheets, the joint fourth-most in the division.
Kerkez played a pretty important role in Bournemouth’s defensive strengths, helping them keep clean sheets against the likes of Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hungarian defender won the key battles against tricky wingers like Bukayo Saka, Anthony Elanga, and Ismaila Sarr in the Premier League.
Kerkez also has some solid defensive numbers to show off his heroics in the 2024/25 season, having made 169 possession recoveries and won 152 duels in 38 Premier League matches.
He also made 99 clearances and 52 tackles in the 38 Premier League games, proving himself as a hard-working and industrious defender who fights to win his battles.
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Is Milos Kerkez An Upgrade Over Andy Robertson?
Of course, Liverpool are signing Milos Kerkez to keep him in mind as their long-term left-back option to ensure there is a lot of mobility and defensive sturdiness down that side.
There is a general feeling that Kerkez will be replacing Robertson, who showed signs of weariness in the 2024/25 season.
The 31-year-old Scottish defender made a direct error leading to a goal last season and also scored an own goal, as well as getting sent off once in the previous campaign for Liverpool.
In the 33 Premier League appearances that Robertson made, Liverpool kept six clean sheets.
Kerkez, on the other hand, helped Bournemouth keep three more clean sheets in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Robertson, moreover, was also able to provide just one assist last season.
Kerkez had seven goal contributions for Bournemouth in the 2024/25 Premier League, which included two goals and five assists.
Therefore, it’s clear that the Hungarian defender has enough creative qualities and driving ability down the wide areas to enhance Liverpool’s attacking power from the left wing.
Even when it comes to defensive contribution, Kerkez is arguably a more efficient option than Robertson going forward.
The 21-year-old defender averaged 1.21 interceptions and 2.86 clearances per 90 minutes in the previous Premier League campaign.
Robertson averaged 0.77 interceptions and 2.20 clearances per 90 minutes for a Liverpool side that won the championship and finished eight places above Bournemouth.
Kerkez is Premier League proven and is only on the ascendency because of his age (21). He appears to be a ready-made successor for Robertson and a much more potent, defensively stable option than the Scottish fullback.
So don’t be surprised if Kerkez ends up starting way more matches at left-back for Liverpool in the 2025/26 season than Robertson, that is, if the Scottish full-back ends up staying at Anfield for another campaign.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 25.05.2025