Liverpool signed several new players last summer - at a total cost of around £450m. Among the new arrivals was Milos Kerkez - who came into the club for around £40m from Bournemouth. Also brought in...
Liverpool signed several new players last summer - at a total cost of around £450m.
Among the new arrivals was Milos Kerkez - who came into the club for around £40m from Bournemouth. Also brought in was Florian Wirtz - a major signing for a fee that could reach £116m.
It’s fair to say Kerkez and Wirtz have been struggling for their best form since arriving at Anfield. Both have spent time out of the team - with Arne Slot seemingly not wholly convinced by their performances in red.
But things have changed in recent fixtures - with Liverpool experiencing an upturn in form with three wins in a row.
Kerkez and Wirtz linking up on left
One of the features of the Reds’ recent run has been a switch to a formation which is getting the best out of Kerkez. The 22-year-old finally looks the part at left-back - putting in performances on par with the levels he hit with the Cherries last term.
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That fortune has coincided with Cody Gakpo’s spell out of the team due to injury - and Slot has found a solution in attack for that absence too.
Instead of a like-for-like replacement on the wing he’s dropped Wirtz into a left-sided attacking position. The 22-year-old came up trumps with an assist at the weekend against Tottenham - and is now well on his way to repaying that enormous transfer fee.
Kerkez gelling with Wirtz
The last few games have seen everything click into gear for the Reds - with Kerkez now pointing to the emerging relationship between the Hungarian defender and Wirtz ahead of him in attack.
"The last few weeks have been better because we've had time to gel and get to know each other,” Kerkez said according to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“At the moment, there's a good connection between me and Flo. We're playing good and I hope it keeps going.
"I like it because I have more freedom with Flo. We are moving, passing and playing a lot of one-twos. I felt like I was in the opposition box a lot more and crossing. Defending is my first job so it's getting better and I'm happy about it."
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Will Kerkez and Wirtz stay together?
It remains to be seen what the future holds for this Liverpool side once Gakpo comes back to full fitness. The Dutchman is clearly a favourite of Slot - who may well find space for him in the attack once he shakes of his injury.
But that risks destabilising the relationship between Wirtz and Kerkez - who have looked the part in recent weeks.
Wirtz was reportedly promised a No10 role by Slot over the summer when he was leaving Bayer Leverkusen - but Slot has found the right balance by placing him elsewhere.
Category: General Sports
