Liverpool have now reportedly identified their “No.1 target” at left-back this summer, but it isn’t Wolves ace Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has been offered a new deal.
Andy Robertson has been a superb servant for the Reds since arriving in the summer of 2017, but he has shown signs of being past his best this season.
Eight years of relentless running up and down the left flank appear to have taken their toll, so a younger left-back needs to arrive in the summer transfer window.
That’s not to say that Robertson should be sold, by any means, but using him as a squad player moving forward seems like a natural next step.
According to The Telegraph‘s John Percy on X, Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez is Liverpool’s “No.1 target” at left-back, with Ait-Nouri further down the pecking order, despite being watched by the Reds:
“New – Wolves to offer £50m rated Rayan Ait-Nouri a new contract. Big part of Vitor Pereira’s plans for next season. Liverpool have watched him frequently but Milos Kerkez is No 1 target in the position.”
Kerkez the perfect left-back choice for Liverpool?
Ait-Nouri is a good left-back in his own right, but it looks as if a stay at Wolves could be on the cards, with Wanderers also linked with a move for Harvey Elliott in recent days.
In Kerkez, Liverpool arguably have a superior option, however, with the 21-year-old such an impressive performer for Bournemouth this season, combining defensive tenacity with quality going forward, registering five assists in the Premier League and being hailed by Jamie Carragher:
“He’s aggressive, he’s got pace. Even when you look at him he looks like a full-back – really aggressive bombing up and down the left side. He’s been superb since he’s come into the Premier League and he’s certainly one to watch in the future whether he stays or moves on because he’s made that much of an impact.”
Whether Liverpool are able to entice both Kerkez and Dean Huijsen away from Bournemouth remains to be seen, but the former is arguably the more important addition, with a Robertson replacement needed more than central defensive reinforcements.
