Liverpool could rue selling "relentless" ace who may be better than Kerkez
Liverpool are heading toward a critical juncture.
Arne Slot’s side are way ahead at the top of the Premier League having also reached the Carabao Cup final. A meeting with Newcastle United at Wembley looms large.
But FSG know their Dutch head coach’s lightning-fast start to life in Jurgen Klopp’s seat will only be preserved through calculated investment this summer.
There’s still hope Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will extend their deals, though there’s a sense of resignation that Trent Alexander-Arnold may have been tempted by Real Madrid.
While each of these superstars’ positions will need to be filled if they leave, Liverpool also have several other priorities, with Darwin Nunez likely to be sold this summer and a high-class forward needed in his stead.
He’s not the only one, though, with the left side of defence also in desperate need of renovation. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has been picked as the man for the job, it seems.
Liverpool's interest in Milos Kerkez
Anfield’s left-back berth has required very little attention over the past eight years, with Andy Robertson ruling supreme and Kostas Tsimikas joining from Olympiakos in 2020 to add depth.
However, neither is performing to the highest standard in Slot’s system. Robertson turned 31 this week and is suffering after so many full-throttle years under Klopp’s wing.
Kerkez, 21, is the full package and the perfect long-term solution.
With the Daily Mail reporting Liverpool’s interest is already in the advanced stage, there’s plenty to get excited about. The Hungarian’s pace and energy down the left is perfect for Slot’s high-energy and technically-shaped team.
Indeed, he’s scored two goals and provided five assists across 28 Premier League matches this term, as per Sofascore, also completing 81% of his passes and averaging 4.7 ball recoveries per game.
All this said, Liverpool run the risk of losing Trent this summer and will then need to target full-backs on either side to bring Slot’s vision to fruition.
It’s a shame the perfect rising defender has already been offloaded, for he is thriving in England’s top flight this year and is maybe even outperforming Kerkez.
Liverpool may regret selling "relentless" PL star
Through the genius of Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool fans have been reminded of the joy in witnessing one of your own emerge from the academy and make a marked impact over a number of years.
Oftentimes, promising prospects fall by the wayside at their first club, but many go on to forge impressive careers. Neco Williams is one such player, having found his feet and then some at Nottingham Forest.
Hindsight always portrays a different picture, and few – if any – of a Liverpool persuasion felt the £17m fee that FSG claimed when Forest purchased full-back Williams was anything other than a bona fide success.
And, in fairness, it still is, though Nuno Espirito Santo has pulled every ounce of ability from this product of the Kirkby talent factory, a core part of the high-flying Tricky Trees’ campaign.
Williams is reaching the end of his second season at the City Ground, and having played 18 times from the outset last year, he’s already equalled that number this season with two months still to be played.
Nuno hailed his team’s “ruthless” ability in front of goal during January’s 7-0 demolition of Brighton, Williams among the scorers. He’s complete in his approach, with such performances surely not unworthy of a spot in Slot’s squad.
The current term may not convey the most awe-inspiring of playmaking metrics but it’s important to remember Williams is moonlighting on the wrong side of the pitch. Even so, the right-footer has excelled as his team defy expectation to challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League, something they are firmly on course for as we enter the business end.
In spite of this, the Welshman has still managed to showcase his athleticism and ball-carrying approach, all the while maintaining a steely defensive game. As per Sofascore, he’s won a whopping 60% of his duels this season, battling against right wingers such as Salah.
Goals
0.05
0.07
Assists
0.05
0.18
Shot-creating actions
1.65
2.21
Progressive passes
2.92
4.38
Progressive carries
2.18
2.68
Successful take-ons
0.62
0.59
Ball recoveries
3.45
4.85
Tackles + interceptions
4.14
2.65
Clearances
4.30
2.98
Blocks
1.65
1.07
Aerials won
1.87
0.63
It’s perhaps also worth noting Williams has averaged a dribble every two Premier League matches this season, whereas Kerkez, despite what you may think, records 0.6 dribbles per top-flight fixture in 2024/25.
Statistics only tell so much of a story. Forest have held the least possession of any side in the Premier League, and yet are flying high at the top. This is why Williams’ ball-carrying and playmaking numbers are down, but even so, you can see that he performs well in the conditions provided.
Could it be that Williams is a superior defender with an attacking game that doesn’t always get highlighted, due to the way in which Forest set up?
It must be said, Klopp once commented on Williams’ “incredible” quality in attack when he played for Liverpool, and with six assists from only 33 senior appearances with the Reds, this is hardly baseless.
He was also praised for his “relentless” running by Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott, further strengthening the claim he’d be fit for purpose in Slot’s framework.
Bringing it back to Trent, FSG may find they have parted with their next version of the Three Lions star, an exciting and dynamic wide defender who distinctively can play across both flanks.
If Alexander-Arnold does leave this summer, Liverpool are going to need to sign a new player to provide competition for Conor Bradley. It’s just a shame that this could have been prevented, had Williams’ potential been properly recognised, and a decision on his sale withheld.
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