Former England captain Wayne Rooney has issued a stark warning to Liverpool's summer signing Milos Kerkez, suggesting his position in the starting lineup is under serious threat from veteran left-back Andy Robertson.
High-Profile Signing Under Scrutiny
Liverpool invested approximately £40 million to secure Kerkez's services last summer, following two impressive seasons with Bournemouth that attracted attention from European giants including Real Madrid and Manchester City. The 22-year-old Hungarian international arrived at Anfield with significant expectations after being named in the PFA Team of the Year for his exceptional performances during the previous campaign.
Inconsistent Performances Raise Questions
Despite manager Arne Slot's continued public support for his marquee signing, Kerkez has struggled to replicate his Bournemouth form consistently this season. While he has started all but four of Liverpool's Premier League matches, serious questions have emerged about his defensive capabilities and overall adaptation to his new club.
"If I was at Liverpool, I certainly wouldn't want him to leave just yet," Rooney stated on The Wayne Rooney Show, referring to Robertson's potential departure. "Andy Robertson would probably have a case that he should be starting for Liverpool still, purely because Kerkez has come in and he has struggled a little bit."
Recent Form Highlights Concerns
Kerkez's performances have been particularly inconsistent in recent weeks. While he earned man of the match honours following Liverpool's goalless draw with Arsenal, demonstrating glimpses of his Bournemouth quality, he was substituted at half-time during the Reds' 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium last weekend. Slot later confirmed this decision was tactical rather than injury-related.
Robertson's Reduced Role
Since Kerkez's arrival, Robertson has been limited to just four Premier League starts, a significant reduction for a player who has been instrumental in Liverpool's recent successes, including two Premier League titles. The Scotland international's proposed transfer to Tottenham was reportedly blocked by Liverpool just 24 hours after Kerkez's disappointing performance against Bournemouth.
Rooney elaborated on Robertson's situation: "If it would have happened in the summer, I think you'd have said, 'Yeah, that's a good move for Robertson, good move for Liverpool', obviously with them bringing Kerkez in. But I think with the way Kerkez has been this season, I don't think, if I was Liverpool manager or part of the board, that I'd be letting Andy Robertson go right now because they're fighting to get into the Champions League."
Rooney's Advice to Robertson
The former Manchester United striker believes Robertson should be more assertive in demanding playing time from Slot, especially if Kerkez's inconsistent form continues during the crucial final stages of the season.
"If you're Andy Robertson then you'd be knocking on Arne Slot's door and saying, 'I should still be starting', because, as I said, he's still young enough and his legs haven't gone," Rooney advised. "He's probably not as quick as he once was but his legs haven't gone. I'd certainly be asking the question, purely because of Kerkez's form."
Understanding the Veteran's Dilemma
While Rooney strongly advocates for Robertson to remain at Liverpool and fight for his place, he acknowledges the difficult decision facing experienced players when younger competition arrives.
"It's football, it happens," Rooney reflected. "You get a bit older and you're maybe not the player you once were, but you still feel you can contribute. So you have a decision to make: do you stay at the club and be a bit-part player or do you try and move to another club where you feel you're going to start and play every week."
Rooney added his personal perspective on accepting changing roles: "I didn't think it was that hard, I always feel you have to be honest with yourself. If you're hanging on, thinking you can be better and you're not then you can potentially affect your team and your team winning trophies as well. I think you've got to be realistic and honest with yourself and if you can you see it, then you can understand why others can."
The situation presents Slot with a significant selection dilemma as Liverpool push for Champions League qualification, balancing faith in a substantial investment against the proven quality and experience of an established Premier League winner.
