Liverpool endured a painful 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with 18-year-old substitute Estevão Willian scoring in stoppage time to deepen the visitors’ misery. Former England right-back Gary Neville didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, delivering a stinging critique on Sky Sports.
Neville singled out left-back Milos Kerkez, branding the young defender “naïve” and claiming he “looks like a baby out there.” His remarks have intensified discussions about Liverpool’s shaky form and defensive issues, which have become a growing concern among supporters.
Chelsea’s late winner — following Moisés Caicedo’s opener and Cody Gakpo’s second-half equaliser — gave the Blues a dramatic three points and left Liverpool reeling from back-to-back losses. The Reds’ inability to close out games and their tendency to concede late have raised further alarm bells.
On The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville was particularly scathing in his assessment of Kerkez:
> “Kerkez, honestly, right now looks like a youth-team player. I know he’s talented, but he’s playing like someone in the Under-21s — too naïve, too lightweight. He’s losing 50-50s to Neto!
He’s got Premier League experience and has played in these stadiums before, so I expected more from him. He’s alongside Virgil van Dijk — the best centre-half in the world — and has hardworking players covering his side. It’s not like he’s stuck on Salah’s flank where you get more exposed. But from the first ten minutes of the season opener against Bournemouth, he’s struggled.”
Neville’s blunt criticism has further spotlighted Liverpool’s defensive instability. While one poor display doesn’t define a player, the team’s repeated late-game collapses and uncertain defending mean Arne Slot’s side urgently needs solutions — whether tactical, mental, or through personnel changes — before these lapses become a recurring pattern.
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