It’s impossible to overstate the impact Andy Robertson has had on Liverpool’s legacy. The Scottish full-back’s £8 million move from Hull City in 2017—complete with Kevin Stewart (!) moving in the opposite direction—marked a transformative moment in Liverpool’s rise to becoming one of football’s most dominant forces.
Now 30 years old, Robertson has cemented his place in Liverpool folklore, donning the red shirt while racking up seven major trophies and earning a spot in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2019. He’s also been twice recognized in the PFA Team of the Season, a testament to his consistent brilliance. Those with memories stretching back recall Steve Nicol, while others highlight Alan Kennedy, whose iconic European Cup-winning goal sealed his place in Liverpool’s history. For the generations born post-2000, however, Robertson stands indisputably as the club’s finest left-back in recent memory. His influence extends beyond the pitch, with Scotland’s captain playing a key role in the leadership group under Arne Slot, and Mohamed Salah even describing him as the ‘bad guy’ who dishes out fines.
Robertson’s signing became a symbol of Liverpool’s evolving recruitment strategy—moving away from Rodgers’ reliance on nepotism to a more calculated pursuit of Europe’s most undervalued talents, extracting maximum value from relatively modest investments.
But all good things have their end. While some of the modern discourse around Robertson has been overly harsh, it’s clear Liverpool will be eyeing a new left-back this summer.Liverpool’s recruitment strategy has long focused on identifying attacking full-backs, with analysts highlighting key talents even before Jürgen Klopp’s arrival.
The club’s interest in Andy Robertson began while he was still at Hull City, a side that had been relegated after conceding a shocking 80 goals during a difficult Premier League campaign. Even then, it was clear to Liverpool’s scouting team, working closely with Klopp’s vision, that Robertson’s crossing and dribbling abilities offered significant untapped potential.
Liverpool’s Hunt for a Left-Back: Milo Kerkez
Now, as Liverpool look to the future, their sights seem to be set on an all-rounder, someone capable of matching the technical demands of today’s game. Enter Milos Kerkez—a rising star at Bournemouth, brought to the club by Richard Hughes in 2023, and already on Liverpool’s radar. Hungarian outlet M4 Sport reports that both clubs have engaged in discussions over a potential transfer.
Kerkez is undoubtedly gifted. Like Robertson, his motor seems to never stop; he’s a tireless presence down the left flank. “I just can’t sit still, I’m full of energy,” the 21-year-old Hungarian has said. It’s this relentless energy that led him to leave AC Milan as a youngster, despite the legendary Paolo Maldini’s interest. His move to AZ Alkmaar turned out to be a career-defining decision.
Liverpool were tracking Kerkez as early as 2023 after a standout season in the Eredivisie. But with Robertson still performing at a high level, and Kerkez eager for regular top-flight football, a move to Bournemouth made sense for his development.
That decision has proven astute. Unlike many young players, Kerkez didn’t hesitate to choose playing time over the allure of elite clubs. Leaving Milan for AZ Alkmaar was a bold move, but one that paid off handsomely. Kerkez understands the importance of consistent minutes at this stage in his career, and his calculated risk has begun to bear fruit.
In a footballing landscape where central defenders are often asked to shift into wider positions for added stability (Gvardiol, White, Calafiori, etc.), Kerkez fits the mold of a modern full-back—dynamic, attacking, and defensively astute.
There are striking parallels to Robertson in his prime. Kerkez possesses a similar dynamism; at just 21, he can create chances at will, is among the best crossers in the game, and holds his ground defensively. His speed, dribbling ability, and crossing accuracy mark him as a player who can make a tangible impact on both ends of the field.
Former Liverpool Head of Research, Ian Graham—author of “How to Win the Premier League”—has long championed the data-driven approach to recruitment. His analysis suggests that replacing a player in the 30th percentile with one in the 70th percentile can yield an improvement of 0.08 goals per game. Kerkez’s data backs this up. He ranks in the 75th percentile for expected assists and the 86th percentile for progressive carries, evidence of his offensive prowess.
Defensively, while still developing, Kerkez shows promise. He tackles with tenacity—averaging 1.77 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes—and wins about 50% of his duels. Standing at 5’8” may not be ideal for a defender, but Kerkez plays beyond his height, showing remarkable courage and effectiveness in one-on-one situations.
Under Andoni Iraola’s high-energy, attacking approach at Bournemouth, Kerkez has been deployed in advanced areas during possession. Whether driving through lines with quick bursts of pace or delivering pinpoint crosses to strikers like Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo, he remains a constant menace in the opposition’s half.
This season, Kerkez has already racked up 14 key passes in the Premier League—an impressive number for a left-back. In fact, he stands alone in Bournemouth’s squad in this regard, with Dango Ouattara and Lewis Cook trailing far behind. His success in crossing also aligns with some startling statistics: 3.22 successful crosses per 90 minutes, with three of those leading to goals. His expected assists (xA) of 2.4 is better than every other full-back aged 21 or younger in Europe.
While the identity of Liverpool’s future left-back remains uncertain, the growing links to Kerkez suggest the Reds are targeting an attacking option. Reports from Senegalese media claim Liverpool have made contact with the agent of Slavia Prague’s in-form left-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf. But fans might be wary of that surname…
The 20-year-old, standing tall at 6 feet, has already been dubbed the ‘Senegalese Alphonso Davies’. He’s a versatile talent, capable of playing both as a wing-back and an outright winger. With six goals and three assists this season, Diouf’s offensive threat is undeniable.
Kerkez and Diouf share striking similarities in their styles. Both are effective dribblers, possess strong crossing ability, and are powerful, dynamic presences in attack. The left-back role with such athleticism would provide a stark contrast to the experienced Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, who are nearing the latter stages of their careers.
