Pundit Clinton Morrison has called for Milos Kerkez to be dropped for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt this week.
The Hungarian has made an inauspicious start to his Reds career, proving to be an erratic presence at left-back, both in and out of possession.
The hope was that Kerkez would come in as an upgrade on Andy Robertson when he joined from Bournemouth for £40m, but there are now calls from some for the Scot to take his place in the team.
That appears to be the opinion of Morrison, who told BBC Sport that the 21-year-old should be axed for Wednesday’s trip to Frankfurt in the Champions League.
“It was probably one of the only Liverpool games [v Man United] that I’ve watched and thought Van Dijk looked rattled, especially in the first half. It’s because he is having to cover Milos Kerkez, who I think right now has to come out of the team.
“He is struggling and does not look like he can carry that Liverpool shirt at the moment. Amad [Diallo] and Mbeumo were causing him a lot of problems down that side. It was actually Konate who was bailing Van Dijk out, which doesn’t happen often. He was the best defender for Liverpool in this game.”
Should Kerkez be dropped for Liverpool clash?
Arne Slot has a big decision to make with Kerkez in midweek, but taking him out of the firing line away to Frankfurt does feel like the sensible decision.
He is a young player who is still getting used to life at one of the biggest clubs in the world, which shouldn’t be forgotten, and giving Robertson a chance to prove himself makes sense.
Slot can then decide who to start out of the pair for Saturday’s trip to Brentford in the Premier League, in what promises to be another test of their mettle, following such a poor run of form in recent weeks.
Whatever happens, much more is needed from Kerkez moving forward, both in terms of defending with more intelligence and producing more quality in the final third, having not yet scored or assisted for Liverpool.
