5 Reasons Milos Kerkez is the Ideal Andy Robertson Replacement at Liverpool Ahead of 40 Million Move

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bournemouth to sign Milos Kerkez in a deal worth around £40million ($54m), but this is why he is the ideal replacement.

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bournemouth to sign Hungary international Milos Kerkez in a deal worth around £40 million ($54 million). 

The 21-year-old left-back is expected to undergo a medical next week before signing a five-year contract at Anfield. With the club-to-club agreement now finalized, only paperwork remains before the move is official.

The transfer marks a significant step in Liverpool’s squad evolution under new head coach Arne Slot, with the club targeting a long-term successor to Andy Robertson.

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After starting all 38 Premier League games for Bournemouth in the 2024–25 season and delivering six goals and two assists, Kerkez has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young full-backs.

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Here are five reasons why Kerkez is seen as the ideal heir to Robertson’s position.

A perfect tactical fit for Arne Slot

Kerkez embodies the type of full-back Arne Slot prefers: energetic, aggressive, and tactically flexible. 

At Bournemouth, the Hungarian international demonstrated an exceptional ability to contribute to both overlapping and underlapping attacking movements. 

He made more underlapping runs than any player in the Premier League last season — a critical feature of Slot’s attacking structure that helps stretch defences and open passing lanes.

Slot often asks his full-backs to tuck into central spaces or contribute to build-up in midfield. 

While Kerkez has mostly played wider for Bournemouth, his high work rate and intelligence suggest he can adapt quickly to the Dutch manager’s evolving tactical demands.

Premier League-proven at just 21

One of Kerkez’s biggest advantages is that he doesn’t require a transition period. He has already proven himself across two seasons in the Premier League, making 67 appearances since joining Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for £15.5 million.

 In 2024–25 alone, he was ever-present in the starting XI and played a vital role in the club’s impressive campaign.

This level of top-flight exposure at such a young age makes him a low-risk, high-upside signing for Liverpool — particularly in a position where few established options are available without massive fees.

 Strong links to Liverpool’s current leadership

Kerkez arrives with trusted connections inside the club. Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s current sporting director, was responsible for bringing him to Bournemouth in the first place, giving Liverpool a strong insider view of the player’s capabilities and mentality. 

Additionally, Kerkez is a close friend of Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, his Hungary teammate, who could play a key role in helping him settle both on and off the pitch.

This level of familiarity and support structure often helps young signings make smoother transitions — something Liverpool will be counting on as Kerkez integrates into a demanding setup.

Attacking production to rival top full-backs

Kerkez is not just aggressive in his movement — he’s effective. His six goals and two assists in the 2024–25 Premier League season speak to his end product. 

His ability to overlap and get to the byline allowed him to deliver key cutbacks and crosses, particularly when combining with Bournemouth forwards like Antoine Semenyo and David Brooks.

In fact, only three defenders in the league recorded more assists last season, and few matched his overall attacking involvement from the left flank. 

His style could dovetail well with Liverpool’s wingers like Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo, who rely on width and dynamic off-ball runners to create space for their inside movements.

Long-term potential with room to grow

While Kerkez is already delivering at a high level, he remains a developing talent. Defensively, he still has work to do, especially in his positioning and aerial duels — areas where Andy Robertson has historically excelled.

 Kerkez won just 30 percent of his aerial duels last season and can occasionally lose focus without the ball.

But at just 21, he offers something Robertson no longer does — upward trajectory. With guidance, Kerkez has the physical attributes and tactical awareness to evolve into a complete modern full-back. Liverpool will be betting on their coaching infrastructure to help him reach that next level.

Kerkez’s arrival signals a changing of the guard. Andy Robertson’s contributions to Liverpool are unquestionable.

 He remains a respected leader, a Champions League and Premier League winner, and a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s era. His leadership will remain invaluable if he stays, even as his playing time is managed more carefully.

But as Mark Carey of The Athletic noted, a 21-year-old on the rise may offer more to Liverpool’s future than a 31-year-old approaching the twilight of his career. 

Kerkez may not replicate Robertson’s vocal presence immediately, but in terms of energy, tactical fit, and future resale value, he represents a clear step forward.

With the medical and paperwork pending, Liverpool look set to make Kerkez their first major signing of the Slot era — and in doing so, lay down a marker for their ambitions to evolve without compromise.