'Not seeing the same player': Alan Shearer claims one Liverpool player has actually got worse this season
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Liverpool have had a mixed season in terms of overall performance, but some players have faced scrutiny for their individual displays.
The Merseyside Derby delivered a game of two halves for fans at Anfield as the Reds beat their local rivals 2-1 after a dominant opening display, which was unfortunately followed by an Everton resurgence.
Luckily for Arne Slot and the team, the Toffees’ comeback did not result in dropped points, but it did bring into question how Liverpool will be able to find more control going forward, given they are only four games into the Premier League season.
However, they have had a 100% win rate so far, and as long as the results are maintained, supporters will not be complaining too much.
There have been some less-than-stellar individual performances during the first half of this season, and one full-back who has faced some scrutiny for his displays is Milos Kerkez.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Hungarian joined Slot’s side for £40 million during this summer’s transfer window and has not hit the ground running as expected after a standout season for Bournemouth.
It has been difficult for the 21-year-old to adapt to the playing style of the team, and his performance in the Burnley game, where he was subbed off after 38 minutes, had fans questioning if he was ready to start.
But he did have a much-improved performance against the Blues, considering his disappointing early exit the weekend prior.
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Alan Shearer, though, is not convinced that he is the same player who lit up the South Coast last season and believes he has contributed to a lack of balance in defence.
The league’s top goalscorer made his feelings known in a post-match analysis for NBC Sports, where he said: “Well, at the minute we’re not seeing the same player in Kerkez, particularly the left-hand side as we saw with Bournemouth.
“He was free-flowing.
Here, to me it seems as if he’s caught in two minds whether he’s going to go, whether he’s going to stay and help protect that with Van Dijk and Konate.”
It is a difficult balance to strike, especially for a defence that have had a pre-season and four games to work each other out, but it is a change from how Andy Robertson has commanded the left flank in recent years.
The former Newcastle United striker also had his say on how the Dutch coach will have to sort out the issue of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Ekitike has been a perfect signing for Liverpool in that central position, making an immediate impact in the league with four goal contributions this season.
But he has competition in that position with the signing of Isak, who has made some cameos in recent games as he prepares to get back to match fitness.
Shearer explained that if he were in the shoes of the Frenchman, he would not be happy being left out after recent performances, but believes the choice between the strikers is a good problem to have.
He said: “It’s not a bad option, is it?
He’s not 100% fit yet, which he’ll be working on.
If it’s not, then at least he’s got the players to chuck on and try and change it.