Milos Kerkez’s future at Liverpool has taken on a new sense of direction after a debut season marked by tactical experimentation, inconsistent usage, and debate over his best role in Arne Slot’s system. Once viewed as a long-term development project, the Hungarian left-back is now increasingly being considered a genuine solution for the position, with internal assessments suggesting that a change in coaching approach could significantly reshape his trajectory at Anfield.
The 22-year-old arrived at Liverpool with a strong reputation built during his time at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola, where his attacking output and aggressive style on the left flank made him one of the Premier League’s most promising young full-backs. In that system, Kerkez thrived in a clearly defined role: pushing high, overlapping consistently, and contributing directly to goals. His first Premier League season under Iraola produced two goals and five assists, numbers that reflected both his energy and his attacking intent.
However, his transition to Liverpool under Arne Slot did not immediately replicate that same clarity of role or statistical impact. While Kerkez was far from excluded—making 48 appearances across all competitions and even displacing long-serving left-back Andy Robertson for stretches of the season—his performances were often shaped by a different tactical interpretation of his abilities.
Rather than being deployed as an advanced, attacking full-back, Kerkez was frequently instructed to operate in a more conservative and hybrid defensive structure. At times, he would tuck inside to form an additional central defender alongside Virgil van Dijk, effectively reducing his involvement in wide attacking transitions. While this approach may have been intended to stabilise Liverpool’s defensive structure and build-up play, it also limited the very qualities that initially made Kerkez an exciting signing: his pace, forward drive, and willingness to attack space.
The consequences of this adjustment were visible in his output. Across the season, Kerkez recorded just three direct goal contributions, a noticeable drop compared to his output at Bournemouth. More importantly, observers noted that his influence in advanced areas of the pitch appeared restricted, with fewer opportunities to overlap or create chances from wide positions.
This tactical shift led to a mixed perception of his first season in Liverpool red. Some early performances drew criticism, and sections of the fanbase prematurely questioned whether he could adapt to the demands of a top-six club. Yet such assessments did not tell the full story. Even during his adaptation phase, there were notable positives. Strong displays against teams such as Arsenal and Everton showed glimpses of his defensive resilience and high-intensity style, with some observers even naming him among the standout performers in those matches.
As the season progressed, Kerkez also began to adjust to the physical and tactical demands of his new environment. His defensive work rate and aggressive pressing style gradually became more familiar to supporters, who began to appreciate his commitment and energy. While he remained somewhat inconsistent, his effort level and willingness to engage in duels made him a valuable rotational option within the squad.
Nevertheless, there was a lingering sense that Liverpool had not yet unlocked the full version of the player who had excelled on the south coast. That version—more expressive in attack, more decisive in the final third—rarely appeared consistently under Slot’s system. This perceived underutilisation contributed to broader questions around the club’s tactical direction and recruitment strategy during the campaign.
Some analysts have suggested that the end-of-season managerial change has created a turning point not only for the club but also for Kerkez individually. The belief is that under a different tactical framework, his strengths could be maximised in a way that was not fully achieved in his first year at Anfield.
Attention has naturally turned back to Andoni Iraola, the coach who previously helped unlock Kerkez’s potential at Bournemouth. Iraola’s system is built around intensity, vertical progression, and aggressive wide play—principles that align closely with Kerkez’s natural instincts as a player. It is under this structure that he previously flourished, combining defensive responsibility with frequent attacking involvement down the left side.
Reports indicate that Iraola has already expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of working with Kerkez again. Speaking in a recent interview on LFC TV, he highlighted his general approach to squad development and his excitement about the current Liverpool group. He emphasised that every player would be treated as a fresh opportunity, describing them all as if they were “new signings” in terms of development focus and tactical integration.
While he did not single out individuals in detail, he acknowledged his familiarity with Kerkez from their time together at Bournemouth and expressed a clear willingness to help him continue his development. The implication was that their prior working relationship could be a significant advantage in refining the player’s role and extracting his best performances.
From a stylistic perspective, the fit between coach and player appears natural. Both share an emphasis on intensity, forward momentum, and rapid transitions. This alignment suggests that Kerkez could return to a more advanced and expressive role, one that allows him to operate higher up the pitch and contribute more directly in attacking phases.
Such a shift could have broader implications for Liverpool’s overall structure as well. A more attacking interpretation of the left-back role would not only enhance Kerkez’s individual performance but also add balance to the team’s offensive patterns. His pace and crossing ability could provide an additional outlet on the flank, while his energy would support high pressing systems both in possession and out of possession.
Within the club, there is now growing optimism that the defender’s first season should be viewed less as a disappointment and more as a transitional phase. Adaptation periods are common for young players moving between systems, especially when tactical demands differ significantly from previous environments. In Kerkez’s case, the shift from an expansive Bournemouth role to a more structured Liverpool system may have temporarily suppressed his most natural attributes.
Despite this, his underlying potential remains highly regarded. Coaches and analysts within the club are believed to view him as a long-term asset rather than a short-term experiment. His age, athletic profile, and Premier League experience all contribute to the belief that his development curve is still on an upward trajectory.
If Iraola’s influence is fully realised in a second phase of Kerkez’s Liverpool career, there is growing expectation that the left-back could evolve into a key figure at Anfield. His first season, while uneven, may ultimately be remembered as the foundation upon which a more complete and confident version of his game is built.
In that scenario, what initially appeared to be a period of uncertainty would instead become a crucial stepping stone in his progression. And for Liverpool, unlocking that potential could transform a previously debated signing into one of the most effective long-term solutions in their squad.
