Milos Kerkez is a name that has been on the lips of most Liverpool supporters, ahead of what has been described as a crucial summer transfer window for the Reds.

The club are set to undergo a squad overhaul with many key players’ futures uncertain, including those whom have contracts expiring, such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

It has been well documented that Arne Slot will be given the tools to shake up the playing squad he inherited from his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.

There has been numerous doubts surrounding the futures of both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, therefore, Liverpool look set to dive into the market for a new left-back and the Hungarian appears to be a priority target.

Dominik Szoboszlai reaction to Milos Kerkez message speaks volumes amid Liverpool transfer link	Rayan Cherki sends Liverpool perfect transfer reminder as another 'target' fires huge statement	Gerrard rolls back the years for Liverpool as Crouch brings back the robot - 5 talking points v Chelsea

Kerkez is experiencing a breakthrough second season in English football with AFC Bournemouth, having signed for a small sum of just £15million from AZ Alkmaar in 2023.

We will be discussing why a move to Anfield this summer would be perfect for all parties involved.

AMONG EUROPE’S BEST YOUNG FULL-BACKS

In a market where defensive talent is currently hard to find, Milos Kerkez is considered amongst the very best.

At 21-years-old, the Bournemouth left-back has become a centrepiece of the impressive work that Andoni Iraola is doing down on the south-coast that sees the Cherries in tenth, but only three points from a potential European place for the first time in the club’s history.

This season, Kerkez is the only Bournemouth player to appear in all twenty-nine Premier League matches, whilst featuring in the top ten Premier League players for both total distance covered (278.5km – 10th) and total sprints (616 – 5th).

The Hungarian has also played a crucial attacking role, as no team has scored more goals from open-play crosses this campaign than Bournemouth, with eight.

Kerkez’s goal involvements are at a total of seven for the season with nine matches to play, accumulating two goals and five assists in the league.

HOW DOES KERKEZ COMPARE TO ROBERTSON?Getty Images.

With Liverpool’s interest in Milos Kerkez becoming stronger day-by-day, we have decided to assess how his season correlates to the Reds’ current first-choice in the left-back spot, Andy Robertson.

The club are in the market for a new left-sided defender due to the fact that Robertson isn’t getting any younger and Liverpool are on the hunt for a more youthful asset to join Arne Slot’s ‘new-look’ side.

Robertson has certainly had his fair share of harsh critics due to performance, but it’s definite that he is not the future at 31-years-old, meanwhile for Kerkez, his top-flight career may just be getting started.

If we look at how both players line up against each other, then they are not too dissimilar.

In a few areas, Robertson actually betters his counterpart, but that is due to how much possession Liverpool have during a game, compared to Bournemouth.

The Reds are averaging 52.7%, the third highest in the league, compared to Bournemouth’s 47%, sitting as the sixth-lowest.

Although, the Hungarian is averaging more chance creation, tackles per ninety and defending actions per ninety, than Robertson, but has played a total of over five-hundred more minutes.

KEY TO SLOT’S SYSTEM

Milos Kerkez would become a shoe-in for Arne Slot, as Liverpool have their sights firmly set on the Bournemouth man.

Slot has tweaked the Reds’ defensive shape since his arrival, and has subsequently removed the ability of a Jurgen Klopp full-back who is required to stay high and close to the touchline, ready to burst forward when an opportunity arises.

Instead, the manager has adjusted to a more narrow setup with both full-backs, including Andy Robertson, tucking in to create a more compact back-four.

But, this doesn’t mean that Liverpool’s full-backs are instructed to keep their shape at all times.

For many occasions this season, Robertson has been seen on the outside of his winger, whether that is Cody Gakpo or Luis Díaz and the Scotsman is tasked with providing extra width and additional support.

Although, he has struggled defensively a lot more than previous seasons.

Robertson has often been caught on the wrong side of his attacker, leading to teams targeting the Scotsman for a lack of recovery pace, when he does decide to go forward.

For this reason, Kerkez seems to prove a better fit for what the Liverpool manager is looking for, due to his tenacity and defensive attributes when tasked one-on-one and in a foot race against the opponent.

RICHARD HUGHES A DRIVING FORCERichard Hughes alongside Arne Slot on their first day at Liverpool in June 2024.

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda.

If Liverpool are to acquire Milos Kerkez, then their working relationship with Bournemouth could give them a slight edge over fellow competitors.

Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, was tasked with bringing Kerkez among others to the south-coast and since leaving for Anfield, was the very man behind the appointment of Arne Slot as head coach last June.

As things stand, the Hungarian favours a move to Liverpool over the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

It seems that everything is pointing towards Milos Kerkez making the move to Merseyside this summer, although the Reds would need to meet Bournemouth’s valuation of £40million.

Any potential arrival would mean that one of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas would probably depart, but the Hungarian ticks every box for an Arne Slot full-back.

This is most definitely one to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks and months.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone?
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.