Milos Kerkez was suddenly replaced by the first half when Liverpool beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moore on Sunday.
Liverpool left back Andy Robertson bounced back to bounce quickly after Milos Kerkez was replaced by the first half of the Reds’ late victory over Burnley at Turf Moore. The summer signature was booked early and replaced about 10 minutes before the break.
Arne Slot later claimed that it was too risky to fully back Hungary on the pitch, especially in wet and explicit conditions. Robertson had an ideal alternative on the bench. Kerkez was booked by referee Michael Oliver for the simulation in the 22nd minute.
“Yes, I already told him I wasn’t smart,” Slot said. “He replied to me that he felt an arm on his back. But let’s be clear, that wasn’t a penalty.”
read more: Arne Slot admits that Alexander Isaac is “not ready” to play a full role in Liverpoolread more: Arne Slot makes something about Milos Kerquez’s entry after a brutal Liverpool replacement
Slot added: “Not only on the yellow card, but he never fouled the ball at all after that, but the referee blew his mouth at all that could happen.
“It’s a risk. The only way he could lose his game was 10.11 v 11 could have drawn it, but they could not lose it because they were barely past the middle line.
“I didn’t want to take that risk. It was difficult for Milos because normally, if he has yellow, you don’t have to take the player off. But I felt this was the best option.”
Robertson, who was the left-back of Liverpool’s first choice before Kerquez’s move, showed his classy character as he defended Hungarian International after a tough start to life with the Champions. “He was fantastical for Bournemouth last season,” Robertson told Turf Moore on Sunday.
“He’s just young and I think we’ve forgotten that. All new signatures are young, but there’s incredible potential and they’re the future of the club. You’ll try to help them as much as you can, but you want to put pressure on them and you want to play the game.”
Robertson continued: “He will be Liverpool’s left back in the future and it will be up to me to help him push and improve this season. He has a great future ahead of him.
“I will help him as much as I can, but I want to play the game and be the left-back where I started.
Kerquez moved from Bournemouth to Liverpool this summer on a deal worth £40 million. Robertson didn’t have that big fee when he joined from Hull City in 2017, but he understands the magnitude of the leap.
“It’s a massive jump,” admitted Robertson.
“He’s transitioning well, he has a lot of information and a lot of different ways to play, and he just needs to keep going and be confident.
“We’ll try to help him and others throughout the season. There’s no doubt that he’ll be a great left-back for Liverpool, which is the main thing.”
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