Milos Kerkez call made as Arne Slot faces difficult decision over Liverpool future

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Liverpool have had a number of issues in defence already this season - but would benching Milos Kerkez and recalling Andy Robertson be the right move?Paul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. The ECHO writers take a look...READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister issue now clear as seven Liverpool players give Arne Slot serious worryREAD MORE: Liverpool 11 transfers scrutinised as left-back missing and defender sent backPaul GorstIt's been a steep learning curve for Milos Kerkez at Anfield.

Having traded Bournemouth for Liverpool, the 21-year-old is finding out on the job just how different the demands are at a club aiming to retain their Premier League title.The left-back's performances earned him a spot in last season's PFA Team of the Year and with his best years ahead of him, the Reds believe they have been proactive in planning for life after Andy Robertson at Anfield.Robertson, though, still has plenty to give and while he is inside the final year of his Liverpool contract, the Scotland skipper is not yet a busted flush at 31. The defender played a big part in a general improvement in performance from the Reds at Chelsea on Saturday and with Kerkez still adapting, perhaps it's time to give the long-serving Scotsman a consistent run once more?That's not to say Kerkez is being 'dropped' for poor form but as he continues getting up to speed at a club like Liverpool, Robertson is ideally positioned to show his younger colleague how to go about it.There is no doubt Kerkez is the future of the Reds' left-back spot but Robertson does not to be discarded too easily and his experience and know-how, particularly during a difficult run of form, should be overlooked.Arne Slot clearly feels he should persist with Kerkez in an effort to get him playing into the sort of form that made him a £40m summer arrival but there is plenty of time for that.

And right now Liverpool have a bit of an issue at left-back.There's no doubt Milos Kerkez has had his eyes opened by moving to Liverpool. And having spent much of this season on the bench, the time has perhaps come for him to be restored to the starting line-up to give Kerkez not only a breather, but a chance to watch from the sidelines at what is required.It will do all parties - Robertson, Kerkez and, of course, Liverpool themselves - a world of good.