Chris Sutton has suggested that Arne Slot has rapidly “lost faith” in one of Liverpool’s summer signings.
Milos Kerkez, who joined the Reds from Bournemouth in late June, started the season as Slot’s clear first-choice left-back. However, the 22-year-old hasn’t featured in Liverpool’s last three matches, with Andy Robertson preferred against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. In recent weeks, Kerkez has also faced sharp criticism from pundits including Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Sutton: Slot has ‘lost faith in’ Kerkez
Speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club podcast, Sutton claimed Slot no longer relies on Kerkez in his starting XI. The former Blackburn and Chelsea striker said:
> “Arne Slot built his plans around Kerkez at the start of the season, Robertson was sidelined, and suddenly, I think he’s lost faith in him.”
Kerkez will have chances, but must seize them
Slot publicly defended Kerkez last month following criticism over the Hungarian’s struggles in Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United, praising his energy and one-on-one defending.
Yet, Kerkez has recently lost his starting spot, with Robertson delivering strong performances that helped stabilize the defense against Villa and Real Madrid, before the setback at the Etihad.
Kerkez could use his upcoming international duty to impress and push for a return to Liverpool’s lineup when the Premier League resumes in two weeks. With the Reds competing across multiple tournaments, Slot will need to rotate his squad, meaning Kerkez is unlikely to be sidelined completely.
While Robertson may remain hard to dislodge in the short term, Kerkez must focus on maximizing his opportunities to regain his place and convince Slot he’s indispensable.
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