'Blaming him': ESPN pundit points the finger at Liverpool player for causing Milos Kerkez's run of poor form

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

The woes of this backline continue with each game, and Milos Kerkez has again had a performance that has been a disappointment, given his form for Bournemouth last season.Kerkez does not look comfortable in the role he has been asked to fulfil, which is both an issue with the Dutch manager’s tactics and the Hungarian struggling with life at Liverpool.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesESPN pundit says Virgil van Dijk blaming Milos Kerkez is not helping performancesHowever, there also need to be questions about how van Dijk is currently leading this backline, with the captain struggling to keep the opposition players away from the Reds’ penalty area.What was picked up on multiple times during the game was how the Dutchman kept berating Kerkez any time he made a mistake.READ MORE: Gary Neville pinpoints surprise aspect of Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool declineThis issue seemingly knocked the confidence of the player even more than it already has, and ESPN pundit Craig Burley believes this kind of leadership is to blame for the poor performances of the left-back.Speaking on the broadcast, Burley explained how, even in a situation where the Dutch player kicked the ball at Kerkez’s face, it showed that the way he treated him was unfair.He said: “Virgil van Dijk to me is not leading at the moment. But I don’t think it helps when your captain’s looking at him every two minutes and blaming him or digging him out.“Even at the end, the clearance that comes off Kerkez’s face.

What’s he supposed to do? He’s tucking in behind Van Dijk.

Van Dijk’s turning around, he’s gesturing to him. The crowd see it and I just don’t think that helps the situation.“Now Andy Robertson’s big boots to fill because he’s been a great left back for a few years, but he can’t really do it anymore.