Liverpool Transfer News: An early look at the Reds' new left-back

Liverpool are set to find a new left-back this summer. Here's an early look at what we'll see next season.

David Lynch told Anfield Index this week that Liverpool '100 per cent' will look at left-backs this summer. The Reds are ready to find their next star.

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Andy Robertson has had a mixed season, after all. The Scot has been arguably Liverpool's greatest-ever left-back, up there with Alan Kennedy, certainly.

But he turns 31 next month and with a contract expiring in 2026, the Reds need a successor. That successor won't be Kostas Tsimikas, who has failed to cement a regular place in the side since arriving in 2020.

So someone needs to arrive. There is Owen Beck, who continues to build a very impressive reputation - but we can't see Liverpool banking on him next season.

It means a transfer is essentially inevitable this summer. Here are the options we think Liverpool will be looking at and a potential early view on the new left-back.

Milos Kerkez

Milos Kerkez has been linked fairly consistently with Liverpool this season, including by Anfield Watch. There is interest there, certainly.

And why wouldn't there be? Kerkez only turned 21 in November and has been one of the most talked-about full-backs in the Premier League this season.

Two goals and three assists in the Premier League, six goal-creating actions. Kerkez is an attacking force and one who should only improve.

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Defensively there are a few questions as he can be rash - but that could just be youth. Robertson will almost certainly stick around for another year, meaning Liverpool could afford to be patient with Kerkez.

But the Hungarian will be expensive and there will be plenty of competition to get him. Not an easy one for Liverpool.

Antonee Robinson

Liverpool won't like one thing in particular about Antonee Robinson - his age. He's already 27 and isn't a long-term option.

But is he the right man to just move this team up a level at a time when they can compete? He really might be. Liverpool are reportedly looking at him.

Robinson, quite incredibly, boasts 10 Premier League assists this season. Only Mo Salah has more. It's as many as Bukayo Saka.

That's just remarkable output and he's doing it at a middle-of-the-road side. Robinson looks like a force right now and that's something that will surely tempt Liverpool.

This one might depend on how close the Reds feel to success this summer. If they want a long-term plan, Robinson isn't the one. Short-term? He very well might be.

Alvaro Carreras

Now, Alvaro Carreras is certainly a name to be on the lookout for. The Spaniard is a former Manchester United youth product and one that his old club retained a buyback clause for.

But the purchase of Patrick Dorgu suggests United don't intend to use it. It clears the path for Liverpool to sign one of the most promising young left-backs around.

Carreras is only 21 but appears to be the complete package for Benfica. Reports in Portugal suggest Liverpool have actually made contact, too.

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Of all the targets, Carreras feels like the most routine option. He's very young and a long-term target, while also being solid enough that he should develop comfortably.

The only real problem is that Carreras doesn't generate the assists that Liverpool would want. Maybe that's not so much of a problem in the post-Jurgen Klopp era?

The other concern here is that Carreras is playing in Portugal, where Liverpool haven't had the success they'd hoped for with purchases. That might be enough to rule this one out, even if the youngster appears to have all the tools.

Rayan Ait-Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri feels more like a wildcard option at this stage. He primarily plays in a back-three at Wolves, rather than a back-four and that complicates any scouting of him.

Liverpool certainly wouldn't switch their formation to suit him - so is he actually a reliable option?

Last summer, Ait-Nouri was nowhere near good enough for the Reds, despite speculation. One assist in a full campaign as a wing-back just isn't good enough.

His figure this season is better (five assists) but without actually creating any more chances. Ait-Nouri's numbers for key passes and expected assists are identical to last season.

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So at 23, you'd expect him to be a bit further along than Carreras or Kerkez but he really isn't. Defensively he wins a lot of his duels, but he also has the help of a third centre-back on most occasions - it's not a fair comparison.

But Ait-Nouri is probably the most technically gifted of the lot. He's still young enough to improve and you'd expect his numbers to dramatically rise at Liverpool.

We're not entirely sold but it's easy to see how Ait-Nouri could end up being the best choice. If he clicked the way he could, Liverpool would have a devastating left-back. It just feels like a big gamble.

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