When Liverpool announced the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth in the early weeks of the 2025 summer transfer window, the initial reaction among many fans was intrigue. Here was a 21-year-old Hungarian full-back, plucked from a mid-table Premier League side, and now handed the opportunity to wear the red of the English champions.
Yet, as the dust settles on his transfer and the season’s planning begins under Arne Slot, one thing becomes clear — Kerkez is no stop-gap signing. He is, in every sense, a symbol of the new Liverpool: high-tempo, aggressive, fearless. A player ready not just to fill a role but redefine it.
To get the clearest picture of what Kerkez brings, LiverpoolFC.com spoke to Alex Smith, Bournemouth Daily Echo football journalist, who covered the Hungarian’s entire Premier League journey. His insights, combined with performance data and tactical analysis, paint a picture of a footballer uniquely built for Slot’s system — a full-back with relentless energy, attacking intent, and an unyielding engine.
A Statement Arrival: From AZ to Anfield
Milos Kerkez’s arrival at Bournemouth in 2023 from AZ Alkmaar came amid interest from Lazio, a club with deep European pedigree. That Bournemouth beat such competition for his signature was, even then, an early indication of his growing stock.
He immediately slotted into the starting XI and finished his debut Premier League campaign with 33 appearances — a feat many young foreign players struggle to match in England. His first season brought two assists, but by his second, he had upped that tally to seven goal contributions (two goals, five assists) and cemented himself as an indispensable part of a side that finished ninth in the Premier League — a club record.
Smith summed it up succinctly:
“He was the only player to play in every game of the campaign and that says a lot – he was excellent across the season and was vitally important in each match.”
Energy and End Product: The Blueprint of His Game
What immediately stands out about Kerkez is his engine. He runs. And runs. And then runs again. In a team coached by Andoni Iraola — known for his high-pressing, high-volume attacking system — Kerkez didn’t just survive; he thrived.
“Iraola’s system is centred on energy — he wants a high press and needs the whole XI to contribute. Kerkez’s overlapping runs were vital in overloading the opposition’s half in transition.”
Kerkez’s playing style is direct and fearless. He’s known for making quick overlapping bursts, often high up the pitch, and delivering low-driven or whipped crosses into the danger zone. Among his standout assists were:
- A first-time cross to David Brooks vs Everton, a nominee for Goal of the Season.
- A box-to-box run and delivery for Marcus Tavernier vs Tottenham, which involved dispossessing an opponent near his own box and surging into the Spurs half before producing a pinpoint assist.
It’s the kind of full-back performance that would make prime Andy Robertson proud — high risk, high reward, high octane.
The Statistical Backbone
Let’s put numbers to the narrative. Across the 2024-25 Premier League season:
- Appearances: 38 (Started all games)
- Minutes played: 3420 (most of any Bournemouth player)
- Assists: 5
- Goals: 2
- Key passes per 90: 1.6
- Crosses per game: 4.3
- Tackles + interceptions per 90: 4.8
- Sprints per match: 72 (Top 10 in PL)
While these numbers alone are impressive, context matters. Bournemouth were a mid-table team. Kerkez achieved these metrics without the benefit of elite forwards like Salah or Núñez on the receiving end. At Liverpool, with more territory, possession, and quality around him, these stats could soar.
Defensive Awareness and Big Game Temperament
Offensively, Kerkez is a modern full-back through and through. But what about the other side of the game? Can he defend?
The evidence says yes.
“The home game against Liverpool last season showed his ability in dealing well with Mohamed Salah,” Alex Smith notes. “It was a bit of Salah brilliance which helped win Liverpool that game — but I’m sure Slot and his coaching team will have been encouraged by that showing too.”
Kerkez has shown consistent 1v1 ability, timing his tackles well and rarely over-committing. In a Bournemouth side that often played on the back foot, he was rarely caught out of position, despite his aggressive attacking tendencies.
The Hungarian also showcased a willingness to track back and cover central defenders — a trait Liverpool desperately need from their full-backs, given the high-line risk they’ve often employed.
A Fit for Arne Slot’s High-Tempo Revolution
Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool marks a philosophical shift. While rooted in Klopp’s pressing intensity, Slot’s Feyenoord sides were more possession-heavy, using full-backs as both wide creators and transitional anchors.
Slot expects:
- Full-backs to invert when necessary
- High pressing coordination with forwards and midfield
- Overlapping and underlapping in support of wingers
- Tactical versatility: a back four that shifts into a three when building up
Kerkez ticks all these boxes.
He’s positionally intelligent, capable of adapting between staying wide or tucking in. He’s proven at supporting dynamic wingers — at Bournemouth, he built strong left-sided chemistry with Marcus Tavernier and Justin Kluivert. And most importantly, he thrives in systems where attacking and defensive responsibilities are shared fluidly.
“He’s used to playing a supporting role for wingers and being involved in attacks, and with the potent Liverpool forward line I think he’ll fit right in,” Smith said.
An International Pedigree — And a High Ceiling
Kerkez is not just a Premier League product. He is a key part of a resurgent Hungary side under Marco Rossi, where he regularly starts in UEFA Nations League and Euro qualifying matches. Despite being only 21, he has already:
- Made 23 international appearances
- Started against top-tier nations including Germany, France, and Italy
- Been nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year (2024-25)
His maturity, both tactically and mentally, has been widely praised. Coaches describe him as “unflinching under pressure” and “tactically astute beyond his years.” His awareness, decision-making, and professionalism hint at a player who’s not just ready for Liverpool — he’s ready to excel.
What Does It Mean for Liverpool’s Left-Flank Hierarchy?
The arrival of Kerkez naturally invites speculation: What does this mean for Andy Robertson? The Scotland captain, though still a force, has battled injuries and consistency over the past two seasons.
Slot now has three viable left-back options:
- Andy Robertson – The experienced warrior and still a top-tier deliverer on his day.
- Kostas Tsimikas – A capable backup but may now be viewed as surplus.
- Milos Kerkez – The long-term future, and potentially the present.
Don’t be surprised to see Kerkez start big games early, especially if Slot wants to press with intensity and add freshness to wide overloads. Robertson, meanwhile, may be rotated more often or even shift into a more experienced role — not unlike how Milner was used during his final Liverpool years.
A Personality Ready for Melwood
Beyond tactics and statistics, every Liverpool player needs to embrace the identity of the club — passionate, gritty, connected to its people. By all accounts, Kerkez fits that mold.
Anecdotes from Bournemouth suggest a warm, grounded personality. One humorous note from Smith?
“He was, for a time, having his hair cut by Justin Kluivert at training! That resulted in some very suspect trims — so if there are any budding barbers in the Liverpool squad, he may well give them a go!”
A player with elite drive, international quality — and a willingness to laugh at himself. That’s a Liverpool player through and through.
The Kerkez Era Begins
In Milos Kerkez, Liverpool haven’t just signed a left-back. They’ve signed a philosophy. A player who embodies what modern football demands from wide defenders — pace, precision, passion, and positional versatility.
His arrival signals more than just squad depth. It signals succession planning, tactical evolution, and a club ready to trust in youth with genuine upside. Arne Slot now has a relentless new tool to shape his blueprint — one capable of terrorizing opposition flanks while tightening Liverpool’s own.
Still only 21, with nearly 100 top-flight games already, Milos Kerkez arrives at Anfield not as a prospect but as a Premier League-hardened weapon — ready to make the left flank his own.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com