Why Milos Kerkez's Liverpool transfer is FOUR years in the making

Almost four years ago, Milos Kerkez stepped foot on the AXA training ground for the first time in Kirkby, it was in that moment that he caught the eye of Liverpool's scouts.

The Hungarian international has long been on the club's radar and it seems like this summer he will be teaming up with Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield.

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Kerkez's representatives first held talks with Liverpool this season back in November as revealed exclusively by Anfield Watch at the time.

Since then, Liverpool have made Kerkez the club's primary target in the left-back department. It it understood Kerkez would relish the opportunity to join the Reds and link up with a close friend in Szoboszlai, with whom they converse in three languages: English, German and Hungarian.

Anfield Watch understands Bournemouth would be willing to sell Kerkez for £45m and the Reds are ready to pay that figure in order to land the 21-year-old.

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Milos Kerkez has been on Liverpool's radar for a long time

Liverpool first held talks with Kerkez about a transfer back in the summer of 2023. Back then, the Reds wanted to sign him as a back-up option to Andy Robertson after he had caught the eye at AZ Alkmaar.

At the time, Richard Hughes, then at Bournemouth, swooped in to convince Kerkez to join the Cherries instead.

Kerkez ultimately opted to green light Bournemouth's offer with the promise of regular first team minutes, which is what he deemed as the next best step for his development.

Now the situation has obviously changed. Liverpool are seeking a first choice left-back and Kerkez has proven himself more than capable in the Premier League.

Liverpool's scouts will have every right to be convinced that he is the perfect option for the club. After all, they have watched him and have been keeping an eye on him for a long time.

It all started back in 2021 when Kerkez made his first trip to the club's AXA training centre facilities. The complex also hosts academy game at the other side of the facilities and that is where Kerkez made his debut in the UEFA Youth League as an AC Milan player.

During that trip, Kerkez caught the eye of observers in Kirkby with a brilliant performance.

The Hungarian was tasked with taking on Kaide Gordon, who, at the time, was seen as the hottest prospect in the academy and was full of confidence.

But Gordon did not enjoy the game against Kerkez. The Hungarian locked him up, winning eight out of his nine defensive duels while also making six recoveries and three interceptions.

Going forward, he completed three out of three dribbles, 25 of his 30 passes while winning four out of four offensive duels and making three progressive runs.

To the people who watched him in action, this was all action performance in which Kerkez caused a lot of problems to Liverpool on his side of the pitch.

Liverpool's scouts had been aware of him after making his debut in Hungary's second division as a 16-year-old, but it was in that game that Kerkez really attracted their attention.

The rest is history. Kerkez has continued to perform at the same level and in the same kind of form making bold career steps, like moving to AZ Alkmaar after not being given a chance to shine in AC Milan's first team - despite scoring a brace in one pre-season game for the Italians.

Now Kerkez will be making a move this summer. The chances are it will see him ending up at Liverpool, where he will be returning to the AXA training centre with fond memories.

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Liverpool will be confident they have gotten the right man as well. He's been on the club's radar for a long time and he has worked with people close to Arne Slot, who can provide useful feedback including the Dutchman's former assistant, Pascal Jansen, who played a pivotal role in the beginning of Kerkez's career at AZ Alkmaar.

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