Milos Kerkez TWIST leaves Liverpool looking strong

Liverpool are on the prowl for new recruits to join the team either this January or in the summer.

Despite leading the way in both the Premier League and the Champions League, Slot's team has several positions in need of change.

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Fans' patience with Darwin Nunez as the club's main striker is wearing thin, as Slot has looked to try Luis Diaz in the centre-forward role while the Uruguyian continues to struggle, and Diaz himself could also be on the way out as contract talks are yet to prove fruitful.

In addition, Ryan Gravenberch could do with a player to help deputise his duties in defensive midfield and the consequence of not replacing Joel Matip at centre-back is already being felt as the squad goes through a centre-back injury crisis.

However, one position in particular has needed attention all season and Liverpool might just have received a crucial breakthrough in their search for a new recruit.

Manchester United abandon hunt for Kerkez

Milos Kerkez is a highly regarded left-back at Bournemouth and has been on the radar of the Reds for quite some time now.

In November 2024, Anfield Watch exclusively revealed that Liverpool had asked The Cherries for permission to enter talks with Kerkez and subsequently, Anfield Watch gave a full lowdown on the player.

Arne Slot is reportedly a big fan of the player, and as he continues to perform well in the Premier League, it is highly likely that Kerkez will be right up on the Reds' shortlist to replace Andy Robertson in the long term.

Robertson has been incredibly inconsistent throughout this campaign so far, committing sloppy errors that have cost Liverpool valuable points. Kostas Tsimikas has been able to supplement the Scottish captain's workload, however, injuries have been rife in the defensive unit this season, so further recruitment is necessary.

According to a report from Ben Jacobs earlier this week for TEAM Talk, Manchester United are the leading team to sign Kerkez as Liverpool's interest in the fullback has cooled in recent weeks.

Ordinarily, this news would be concerning, given how important it is for Liverpool to bring in a new left-back and how disastrous it would be for a player the club has been talking with to go to a direct rival.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, United have signed Deigo Leon, a Paraguayan left-back from Cerro Porteno, who will join the team in the summer.

While this means Ruben Amorim will be without his new recruit for the remainder of the season, the new addition does bring into doubt the likelihood that Kerkez could also join.

Manchester United already have Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia in their squad, although both are often plagued by injury, meaning the team has to adapt, but four left-backs at the club would be a remarkable scenario.

In addition, Chelsea - who are also linked with Kerkez - already find themselves with a number of players who can play at left-back, and so Liverpool could now find themselves in pole position to sign the Hungarian.

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