Scouting Report: Milos Kerkez - Reds’ Target as Long-Term Replacement for Andrew Robertson

Written on 02/12/2024

Several sources are linking Liverpool with a move for Bournemouth and Hungary fullback Milos Kerkez. It’s no surprise that the Reds are searching for a long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson. Now in his 30s, the Scotsman faces the challenge many fullbacks encounter, as few continue playing into their mid-30s at the elite level given the demanding nature of the role.

While Robertson hasn't been underwhelming throughout this season, there have been games where he has shown signs of fragility or slowing down (with all due respect to the player because he is a club legend).

His backup Kostas Tsimikas is 28 now and hasn’t done enough since he arrived in 2020 to stake a claim for a first-choice spot in the team at left-back. The Greek international has done well in bits but hasn’t played more than 2000 minutes in all competitions in any of the four completed seasons at Anfield.

After arriving at Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023 (a move completed by the current Liverpool Director of Football Richard Hughes, who was at Bournemouth at the time), Kerkez has been one of the best fullbacks in the league. His pace, directness on and off the ball and defensive solidity against wingers have caught the eye of many big clubs in the country.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the Hungarian international, using data to profile the kind of player Liverpool would potentially be signing.

Image via Transfermarkt

Kerkez was a youth player at Hungarian club Eto FC Győr before moving to the AC Milan youth system and subsequently signing for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The 21-year-old made his first-team debut for AZ in the 2021/22 season. He became a regular starter for one of Arne Slot’s former clubs during the 2022/23 campaign before moving to Bournemouth in the 2023 summer.

While he plays as a wing-back for the national team, Kerkez has predominantly been used as a left-back in club football. At Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, he is granted the freedom to push forward when the team is in possession. He combines his attacking instincts with decent recovery pace and solid one-on-one defending skills.

Let’s analyse his performances for the Cherries this season with the help of numbers to further classify what he is good at.

Premier League Defenders 2024/25 Season: ft. Milos Kerkez

This section covers a few metrics that are aligned with analysing a fullback. We will look at a few visuals to see where Kerkez is this season among Premier League defenders.

There aren’t many better than the Hungarian international at the combination of making progressive carries and creating shot-creating actions. It is a hallmark of an attacking fullback who is comfortable carrying the ball forward and has the end product to boot.