Arne Slot repeated old Liverpool trick with early Milos Kerkez substitution against Burnley

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Milos Kerkez was taken off in the first half of Liverpool's meeting with Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Milos Kerkez's first-half substitution may have come as a surprise to supporters watching Burnley vs Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Andy Robertson came on in his place.

READ MORE:Jamie Carragher gives clear Liverpool red card verdict after Alexis Mac Allister VAR controversyREAD MORE:Arne Slot explains plan for Alexander Isak after having to leave Liverpool striker out vs Burnley

It might be difficult for Kerkez to accept, though ultimately the call was made to ensure he will avoid suspension for next Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

This is something Ibrahima Konate can sympathise with, as Slot was quick to substitute him during the half-time break of the Reds' home Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers last season in March.

The French central defender had been cautioned early on for stopping a counter-attack when he dragged back Matheus Cunha.

Not long after he barged into the same Brazilian and was fortunate not to see a second yellow card.

"I saw him [Konate] getting his first yellow, that was for me a soft yellow.

If he would have gotten the second one for a shoulder push that would again have been a soft yellow," Slot explained after that game.

"So then he would have been sent off for two soft yellows.

But I’ve watched football so many times in my life and I know that a player and a referee is then under pressure.

"So every next foul will lead again to maybe a referee that thinks ‘maybe I now should give him’ – I think back on three days ago.

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