After being one of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League last season, Milos Kerkez's start at Liverpool has certainly been filled with drama, following his move from Bournemouth as part of the Reds' sensational summer transfer window.
An extremely obvious target
It was no secret at the end of the 24/25 Premier League season that some of Europe's biggest and best would be after the signature of the Hungarian after a stellar season with the Cherries, which saw a return of seven goal contributions whilst also starting every league game for Andoni Iraola last season.
His impressive run down on the South Coast also led to some personal accolades, securing the left-back spot in this years PFA Team of the Season alongside now fellow teammates Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year pic is always the one. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EmDJ31w5Bt
— PFA (@PFA) August 19, 2025
Therefore, when it became apparent that the champions were interested in a new left-back, following a relatively poor season from Andy Robertson by his high standards, the 21-year-old's name was immediately thrown into the hat as a contender and as you could imagine his head seemed instantly turned.
Sure enough, Arne Slot, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes all seemed to agree, as a £40 million deal was agreed for the full-back, allowing him to join fellow countryman Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield.
Pure passion and work rate
If there is one thing that the footballing world can agree on with Kerkez it's his ability to give 100% for the team at any given opportunity, whether it's putting in a crunching challenge or going head-first for the ball, the 21-year old's youth definitely helps him play with no fear on the pitch.
Even in a pre-season game against Preston North End he was going into challenges, nearly getting his headed booted in the process, and that was just the first game of pre-season!
Love it, Milos 😤 pic.twitter.com/6CpEr8VlzS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 20, 2025
A strong opener?
Although there has been much positivity about the signing of Kerkez, he hasn't come without his share of critics with his performances so far in a red shirt, however that criticism when actually analysed could be seen as unfair towards the 21-year-old.
His first Premier League game for the Reds came against former club Bournemouth on matchday one of the season, where he actually played reasonably well on what would've been a big day for the young full-back.
The Anfield faithful saw the first stressful game of the season, as their side pinched a 4-2 win at the death following being drawn back level after going two up inside 50 minutes.
Conceding two goals on the opening day isn't ideal in the slightest, however Kerkez wasn't even on the pitch as either Cherries goal (both scored by Antoine Semenyo) went passed Alisson in the Liverpool net, with the Hungarian being subbed after an hour.
Really the defence got worse with the withdrawal of Kerkez on the left and Jeremie Frimpong on the right, with Andy Robertson and Wataru Endo replacing them.
A tough night
Liverpool's second game of the Premier League season, away to Newcastle, was always going to be one of the hardest games of the year, especially with the Alexander Isak saga lurking in the background - but that's a story for another time!
If the critics want to latch onto a game this is probably the one, with the 21-year-old having a tough night at the office in the lion's den that is St James's Park.
It was a poor display overall for Kerkez that night, with the first of the Geordie's two goals coming from Bruno Guimaraes, who towered over the full-back at the back post to get Newcastle back into the game - a match to forget.
Though Slot's side still came out triumphant, a 2-3 win following another late winner, this time from youngster Rio Ngumoha.
Defensively sound
After a shaky game against Newcastle the match before, Kerkez certainly set things right when faced with the task of keeping out title rivals Arsenal in matchday three.
With Bukayo Saka injured, the Hungarian would face the Gunners' summer signing Noni Madueke and it certainly was an electrifying battle, with the ex-Chelsea winger driving at the Liverpool defence on several occasions during the match.
However the Red's defensive unit kept their cool and produced an outstanding display all across the board, and with Szoboszlai's immense freekick winner, it was all three points again for Slot's men and a top performance from Kerkez.
The naivety of youth
The roller-coaster of Kerkez's time on Merseyside so far continued with an away trip to Burnley after the first international break if the season, with a chance for the players to come back and reassert their role in the team.
Unfortunately that isn't what the Hungarian did.
A silly yellow card for diving was followed by a foul not long after and the 21-year-old found himself hooked by Slot only 38 minutes into the game, being replaced by Robertson.
A reality check for fans and a reminder of how young the left-back actually is, with a few poor decisions likely to occur with someone so new to the pressures of playing for one of the world's biggest clubs and expectations to win every week.
A late penalty from Salah still got the Red's all three points.
The positive for Kerkez is that he has the experience of Robertson to help him limit the errors in judgement that may creep in from time-to-time, after the Scotsman was very supportive of his teammate and competitor for the left-back role.
Andy Robertson on Milos Kerkez:
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) September 15, 2025
"He's only young and I think we forget that, all the new signings are young but have incredible potential and they are the future of the club and you try to help them as much as you can.
"He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the… pic.twitter.com/tMzc36omoo
A common error occurring?
After starting first Champions League game of the season against Atletico Madrid on the bench in the midweek, Kerkez was back in the first eleven to face local rivals Everton in matchday five.
Overall, on a day that is always filled with passion and intensity, the Hungarian did well, although unfortunately one moment will stick in the back of people's minds and that is the Everton goal.
As the ball was swung in from Jack Grealish on the left flank, the Hungarian unfortunately miss-timed the jump, allowing it to eventually find Idrissa Gana Gueye who buried it past Alisson.
That goal didn't end up mattering in terms of the outcome, with the Reds holding out for a 2-1 victory, however it does raise concerns about Kerkez's ability to clear crosses sent towards the back post, something that Robertson too has struggled with at times during his Liverpool career.
Liverpool will always be red!🔴+3 pic.twitter.com/9vt9PgINmq
— Milos Kerkez (@kerkez_official) September 20, 2025
Positive, negative or a bit of both?
It's fair to say that from the limited time of Kerkez as Liverpool's first choice left-back, there are plenty of moments where you can see the potential and talent that the Hungarian can offer the champions.
We haven't even seen his deadly crosses at full force yet either, perhaps due to him playing slightly deeper than the full-back on the right.
But of course there are definitely things that the 21-year-old can do to improve, which you would obviously expect at that age.
The question is do you think Kerkez has had a good start to his Liverpool career and will he play a big part in any success that Slot's side have this season?
