Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back in his criticism of Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez, following his dive in the 1-0 victory at Burnley over the weekend.
The Reds ground out their latest dramatic win on Sunday afternoon, with Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time penalty keeping up their 100% winning start in the Premier League this season.
Arne Slot’s champions were far from their vintage best, though, and Kerkez didn’t even make it to half-time, being replaced by Andy Robertson in a tactical move.
Speaking on commentary on Sky Sports during the game [via the Liverpool Echo], Carragher slammed the Hungarian after an embarrassing dive in the first half.
“I mean it was a dive, no doubt about that,” Carragher said.
“I don’t think anybody in the stadium thought it wasn’t, it was so theatrical. I mean it was absolutely stupid, that. I don’t think there’s any contact there really, and he’s in a good position!
“I think he can hook his foot around that and get a cross in. As soon as I seen him make that run I thought he’s gonna be in a really good position on the byline.”Well done to the referee as well. He was really quick, in a really good position to see it, Michael Oliver.”
Worrying start for Kerkez at Liverpool?
It is still clearly early days for Kerkez at Liverpool, and he is an exciting young left-back, but he has looked flawed in his early months as a Reds player.
At times, the 21-year-old has resembled Alberto Moreno more than Robertson, in terms of being erratic in the tackle and in his decision-making, and the fact that Slot had to take him off after a booking isn’t a great sign.
That said, Kerkez is still an extremely young player who is adjusting to life at one of the biggest clubs in the world, so he needs time to fully settle before he can be properly judged.
Don’t be surprised to see Robertson enjoy more minutes against Atletico Madrid and Everton at Anfield this week, however, should Slot feel the need to take his summer signing out of the firing line.
