'The reason why': Arne Slot sends Liverpool fans timely reminder of why he signed Milos Kerkez

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Liverpool supporters certainly have not seen the best of Milos Kerkez after his summer arrival from Bournemouth.Kerkez cost the Reds a princely £40m after being named in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances with the Cherries last season.Given Liverpool‘s last left-back cost them around four times less than that – and went on to become one of the best in the world for close to a decade – there has been a certain amount of expectation on the 21-year-old.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Unfortunately, Kerkez has not lived up to his billing at Anfield just yet, with some shaky displays leaving many to wonder what exactly Liverpool have signed.Nevertheless, Arne Slot has continued to back his new signing, meaning Andy Robertson has had to become used to a spot on the Liverpool bench.Asked what has given Kerkez ‘the edge’ over Robertson during Friday’s press conference, Slot preferred to answer why indeed he was so keen to bring the Hungarian to the club.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesArne Slot praises Milos Kerkez’s all-round gameBased on game time so far, Kerkez has comfortably been installed as Slot’s first-choice left-back.On form, Robertson has probably been the better of the two, but according to the Liverpool head coach, Kerkez has qualities that make him a good fit to start.READ MORE: Where Liverpool’s left-back conundrum now stands as Andy Robertson answers back“The reason why we brought him is that he’s bringing a lot of energy to the game, keeps going up and down, he’s very good in defending one v one against his wingers as well,” he said.

“Defensively solid and a lot of energy making the overlaps.”Interestingly, Slot also briefly looked into why things have not quite been clicking for Kerkez just yet. According to the Dutchman, Cody Gakpo may not be helping to get the best out of his full-back.“For me he’s [Kerkez] been a bit unlucky in that Cody has used mainly his biggest strength of coming inside and hitting the target,” Slot said.

But that’s why we brought him in.”Liverpool must be patient with KerkezGiven Kerkez has been heavily criticised after almost every game he has played in for Liverpool, this comes as a timely reminder from Slot.The former Bournemouth man is still incredibly young to be a starter for the Reds, and it was always likely to take him some time to adapt.Supporters need only look at Robertson, who barely started during his first months at the club, as an example of why Kerkez should not be judged just yet.Performances could certainly have been better, but it has not all been bad. Slot clearly still backs Kerkez to come good and Liverpool fans should as well.