Liverpool are completing the formalities of securing 21-year-old Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez for a reported £40 million, with the medical tests already scheduled next week, as there is a changing of the guard looming with Andy Robertson likely to leave.
The deal, as concluded by The Athletic, places the Reds on a clear trajectory to rejuvenation, having already signed Jeremie Frimpong and anticipating Florian Wirtz, both signings that will redefine the team's new nucleus.
Kerkez came to settle at Bournemouth following a 2023 transfer from AZ Alkmaar. He had played 67 matches in two years, enough to be noticed for his consistency. Liverpool feels that he is a player who can offer width down the left-hand side without sacrificing stability, something that Robertson used to do for years but can no longer do because of injury and physical fatigue.
Instant impact
Kerkez's Liverpool signing is significant not just in terms of the cost but also in the tactical position he could occupy in the team. The left-back position has been filled, more or less consistently, by Andy Robertson since 2017. A supporters' favourite and club veteran, the Scottish left-back may be approaching the end of his days in a red shirt. Atlético Madrid are reportedly keen to bring the player to the Spanish capital, Spanish newspaper As claims, and Robertson himself doesn't appear averse to discussing the possibility with the Spanish giants.
What's next
Robertson's potential transfer would be interpreted in different ways. From an internal context, it would be a normal progression in a position that's long been held by a definite owner. His exit could also have the effect of seeing Kerkez receive an expanded role sooner. Additionally, the transfer signals that Liverpool is not signing a deputy. The heavy investment in Kerkez, coupled with the interest from the club, signals direct competition for the position, or even temporary replacement.