Arne Slot has every reason to be worried about Milos Kerkez after the left-back’s showing in Hungary’s 2–3 defeat to Ireland on Sunday afternoon. Slot may have claimed the Premier League title in his first season and spent heavily — £419 million worth of upgrades — to strengthen further, but the results have not matched the investment. In fact, things have gone in the opposite direction.
Three of Liverpool’s summer signings have already been named among the ten worst Premier League transfers of the season, with Kerkez included on that unwanted list. The youngster has recently lost his place to the very player he was brought in to succeed, Andrew Robertson. Early signs are making it look as though his standout year at Bournemouth might have exaggerated his level — raising fears he may be a one-season wonder struggling to settle at Anfield.
Yet Liverpool fans who have been watching him for Hungary point to the same conclusion: Kerkez clearly has the talent, but Liverpool haven’t seen it. And the blame is beginning to shift away from the defender and onto Slot’s system.
His last genuinely convincing display for Liverpool probably came in the 1–0 win over Arsenal, where he won every duel against Noni Madueke and showed he could channel his fiery style into solid defending. But in the three months since, his form for Liverpool has been inconsistent at best. For Hungary, however, it has been the complete opposite.
Under Marco Rossi, Kerkez hasn’t shown any of the problems he’s had in a Liverpool shirt. His performance against Ireland once again reminded everyone of the level he can reach. Over 95 minutes, he completed all three of his tackles, made three interceptions, five clearances, one block, won seven of eight ground duels, delivered an assist, and created a game-high five chances.
Those numbers have left Liverpool supporters questioning why things aren’t working for him at club level — and whether Slot’s tactical approach is the issue. As one fan on X posted: “I can’t believe people are calling Kerkez a flop already when it’s so clear his bad performances mostly come from how Slot uses him.”
Hungary’s failure to qualify for the World Cup won’t cause alarm for Reds fans, but the gap between Kerkez’s international form and his Liverpool performances certainly will. One fan summed up the frustration: “Milos Kerkez assist. Dominik Szoboszlai assist. Arne Slot… I prefer not to speak.” Another wrote: “Kerkez assisting again for Hungary — this is genuinely disgusting. Slot, fix it.” A fourth added: “Kerkez always looks like a completely different player for his country. For Bournemouth, he looked unreal.”
It was always going to be difficult for Kerkez to displace Robertson so early in his Liverpool career, and some supporters are starting to panic. But Slot proved last season that few managers are more adaptable. A slower, more patient integration might be exactly what Kerkez needs — just not something that will pay off immediately.
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