Andy Robertson suggests what people often 'forget' about Milos Kerkez after his difficult start at Liverpool
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Milos Kerkez will need all his teammates and fans to rally around him at this tricky point of his career.
The Reds welcomed a plethora of new signings to the club this summer, apart from Hugo Ekitike, none of them have been able to hit the ground running.
One player in particular who has struggled is left-back Kerkez, with the Hungarian seeming a little over-keen to try to impress his new boss.
This is something that cost him against Burnley as he was substituted after just 38 minutes due to the worry that he might be sent off, with this being something that could really impact him going forward.
Now, he needs as much support as he can get so that he can come back stronger than ever, and there is no one better than Andy Robertson to offer him just that.
The Scotsman has the experience and knows how to overcome this, with the Reds’ new vice captain telling fans that there is something they need to remember about Kerkez before being quick to criticise.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Before the new campaign got underway, most assumed that Kerkez would be first choice and Robertson would have to play second fiddle – which is exactly what has happened.
However, Kerkez’s performances have left the Scotsman with an opening and a chance to become the regular left-back yet again.
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The 31-year-old excelled against Burnley despite his lack of game time in the first three games, with fans urging Arne Slot to start him in their next game.
That does not mean Kerkez should be written off, though, and Robertson has recognised just that, with the left-back quick to offer his support to his new teammate.
“I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do,” Robertson said as per the Daily Mail.
“The international break was good for me as I was able to get two 90 minutes, get that match fitness and two really good results for Scotland and I took a lot of confidence from that.
“He (Kerkez) is only young and I think we forget that.
You try to help them as much as you can but you want to put pressure on them and you want to play games.
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“He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it’s up to me to push him this season and help him improve.
“He just needs to keep working hard and not let today affect him, which it won’t as he’s a confident lad, and I’ll help him as much as I can.”
If Liverpool fans cast their minds back, Robertson probably felt like a pretty underwhelming signing at the time after signing from relegated Hull City for just £8m, but now it is one of the best transfers in the club’s recent history.
And, Robertson did not start well either in 2017, with the Scotsman being left out of Liverpool’s matchday squad entirely for nine of his first 13 games, and not through injury.
He struggled with the demands of Jurgen Klopp and could not get in the team ahead of Alberto Moreno, although that quickly changed once he had settled.
And now, Kerkez has the chance to do similar, and learning from someone so experienced and a player who has been through the same thing, means that the Hungarian could not be in a better place for his development.