Liverpool could rue selling “relentless” ace who may be better than Kerkez

Liverpool are heading towards a vital juncture.

Arne Slot’s aspect are approach forward on the prime of the Premier League having additionally reached the Carabao Cup remaining. A gathering with Newcastle United at Wembley looms massive.

However FSG know their Dutch head coach’s lightning-fast begin to life in Jurgen Klopp’s seat will solely be preserved via calculated funding this summer time.

There’s nonetheless hope Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will lengthen their offers, although there is a sense of resignation that Trent Alexander-Arnold might have been tempted by Actual Madrid.

Whereas every of those superstars’ positions will should be crammed in the event that they go away, Liverpool even have a number of different priorities, with Darwin Nunez more likely to be bought this summer time and a high-class ahead wanted in his stead.

He is not the one one, although, with the left aspect of defence additionally in determined want of renovation. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has been picked as the person for the job, it appears.

Liverpool’s curiosity in Milos Kerkez

Anfield’s left-back berth has required little or no consideration over the previous eight years, with Andy Robertson ruling supreme and Kostas Tsimikas becoming a member of from Olympiakos in 2020 so as to add depth.

Nevertheless, neither is performing to the best normal in Slot’s system. Robertson turned 31 this week and is struggling after so many full-throttle years underneath Klopp’s wing.

Kerkez, 21, is the total bundle and the proper long-term answer.

With the Day by day Mail reporting Liverpool’s curiosity is already within the superior stage, there’s a lot to get enthusiastic about. The Hungarian’s tempo and power down the left is ideal for Slot’s high-energy and technically-shaped crew.

Certainly, he is scored two objectives and supplied 5 assists throughout 28 Premier League matches this time period, as per Sofascore, additionally finishing 81% of his passes and averaging 4.7 ball recoveries per sport.

All this mentioned, Liverpool run the chance of dropping Trent this summer time and can then want to focus on full-backs on both aspect to deliver Slot’s imaginative and prescient to fruition.

It is a disgrace the proper rising defender has already been offloaded, for he’s thriving in England’s prime flight this yr and is possibly even outperforming Kerkez.

Liverpool might remorse promoting “relentless” PL star

By means of the genius of Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool followers have been reminded of the enjoyment in witnessing certainly one of your individual emerge from the academy and make a marked impression over a lot of years.

Oftentimes, promising prospects fall by the wayside at their first membership, however many go on to forge spectacular careers. Neco Williams is one such participant, having discovered his ft after which some at Nottingham Forest.

Hindsight at all times portrays a distinct image, and few – if any – of a Liverpool persuasion felt the £17m price that FSG claimed when Forest bought full-back Williams was something apart from a bona fide success.

And, in equity, it nonetheless is, although Nuno Espirito Santo has pulled each ounce of skill from this product of the Kirkby expertise manufacturing facility, a core a part of the high-flying Difficult Timber’ marketing campaign.

Williams is reaching the top of his second season on the Metropolis Floor, and having performed 18 occasions from the outset final yr, he is already equalled that quantity this season with two months nonetheless to be performed.

Nuno hailed his crew’s “ruthless” skill in entrance of purpose throughout January’s 7-0 demolition of Brighton, Williams among the many scorers. He is full in his method, with such performances certainly not unworthy of a spot in Slot’s squad.

The present time period might not convey essentially the most awe-inspiring of playmaking metrics nevertheless it’s essential to recollect Williams is moonlighting on the mistaken aspect of the pitch. Even so, the right-footer has excelled as his crew defy expectation to problem for a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League, one thing they’re firmly heading in the right direction for as we enter the enterprise finish.

Despite this, the Welshman has nonetheless managed to showcase his athleticism and ball-carrying method, all of the whereas sustaining a steely defensive sport. As per Sofascore, he is gained a whopping 60% of his duels this season, battling in opposition to proper wingers comparable to Salah.

It is maybe additionally price noting Williams has averaged a dribble each two Premier League matches this season, whereas Kerkez, regardless of what it’s possible you’ll assume, data 0.6 dribbles per top-flight fixture in 2024/25.

Statistics solely inform a lot of a narrative. Forest have held the least possession of any aspect within the Premier League, and but are flying excessive on the prime. For this reason Williams’ ball-carrying and playmaking numbers are down, besides, you possibly can see that he performs effectively within the situations supplied.

May it’s that Williams is a superior defender with an attacking sport that does not at all times get highlighted, as a result of approach wherein Forest arrange?

It have to be mentioned, Klopp as soon as commented on Williams’ “unbelievable” high quality in assault when he performed for Liverpool, and with six assists from solely 33 senior appearances with the Reds, that is hardly baseless.

He was additionally praised for his “relentless” operating by Liverpool author Leanne Prescott, additional strengthening the declare he’d be match for objective in Slot’s framework.

Bringing it again to Trent, FSG might discover they’ve parted with their subsequent model of the Three Lions star, an thrilling and dynamic broad defender who distinctively can play throughout each flanks.

If Alexander-Arnold does go away this summer time, Liverpool are going to want to signal a brand new participant to offer competitors for Conor Bradley. It is only a disgrace that this might have been prevented, had Williams’ potential been correctly recognised, and a choice on his sale withheld.