In-depth analysis丨Why can Kerkez become Liverpool Robertson’s successor?

After Milosh Kerkez transferred to Liverpool from Bournemouth, many Liverpool fans began to think: Can he become Andy Robertson's successor? Liverpool is undergoing a full-back restructuring after Alexander Arnold joined Real Madrid and Flynnon to Leverkusen. The left side also attracted attention, especially in the context of Zimikas' possible departure and Robertson's condition fluctuations.

Robertson is gradually showing signs of fatigue, Kerkez takes over the baton?

Robertson has been the Iron Man at the left back since joining in 2017, but his assists have dropped significantly in the past two seasons (4 assists in total in 2023/24 and 2024/25), far less than the 26 in the previous two seasons. However, this may not be entirely a decline in ability, but may also be related to a change in tactical style.

Despite this, the 31-year-old Scottish defender still played 45 games in the 2024/25 season (including 33 Premier League games) and easily won the championship with the team. His performance is actually not sluggish. However, considering that the age and contract are only one year left, it is indeed necessary for Liverpool to make an advance arrangement.

Klkitz: The young but steady left-back

Klkitz joined Bournemouth from Eredivisie Alkmaar in the summer of 2023. He only gave one assist in his first Premier League season, but he became the player with the most playing time among the Premier League U21 defenders in 1975 minutes. After entering the 2024/25 season, his data has improved significantly: he scored 2 goals and assisted 5 times in the league, creating opportunities, steals, interceptions and other data have been improved across the board. He once told The Athletic that it took some time to adapt to the Premier League rhythm, but he always focused on defense: "If you can't defend well, you won't win the game." His defensive focus has increased significantly, which is exactly what Liverpool fans are expecting.

Defensive data comparison: He is more stable than you think

Kerkez's "real steal success rate" (including steal success, loss and foul) reaches 66.7% (52/78), which is much higher than Robertson's 60% (39/65) and Arnold's 55% (72/131). This shows that he is very efficient in front defense and has the ability to fight high-intensity games.

Fully evolved on the offensive end

When facing Manchester City in November 2024, Kerkez gave two assists: one passed Foden and then made a cross to assist Semenho to score, and one accurate pass assisted Evan Nelson to score. In January's game against Newcastle, he rushed to the frontcourt in the sixth minute of injury time, drifted past Trippier and scored, showing amazing physical fitness and decisiveness.

He has sprinted 845 times in the 2024/25 season, ranking fourth in the Premier League, second only to Munos, Anthony Robinson and Mbeumo. He frequently sets or cuts in the game, with 66 rounds alone (third in the Premier League) and 52 rounds in the game (first in the Premier League), fully reflecting his forward insertion awareness and wing activity.

Pulse-holding and crossing data: Comprehensively suppressed

He completed 132 sports crosses in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, second only to Robinson (170) and Polo (133), and successfully crossed 35 times, second only to Robinson (42). By comparison, Robertson made only 85 crosses.

He averaged 3.9 long-distance ball propulsions per game (more than 10 meters), which is better than Robertson's 3.2 and Zimikas' 2.4, which shows that he has the ability to carry the ball independently.

Distribution and adaptation: The only link that needs to be improved

In the ball-controlled team Liverpool, he needs to improve his passing accuracy. He averaged 36.4 passes per game at Bournemouth, with a success rate of 80.4%, while Robertson was 88%, and Zimikas was 91.1%. This has to do with Bournemouth’s tactical style of often fast forward attacks, but at Liverpool, this quality of the shots must be improved.

Nevertheless, he made up 58.8% of the opponent's passes in the half, ranking fifth among all defenders who played in the Premier League for more than 1,000 minutes, reflecting his participation and threat in the high-level area.

Young and promising, and promising in the future, Krkz, who is only 21 years old, is not a mature player yet. If Robertson can stay until the end of his contract, Liverpool will enjoy the luxury of "new and old matching" in the 2025/26 season.

It is worth mentioning that Kerkez is one of the only six non-goalkeepers in the Premier League to play 38 games in 2024/25, reflecting his reliability.

From Vitality Stadium to Anfield, his growth will attract more attention. Whether he can truly take over Robertson's mantle in the next few years is worth looking forward to by all Liverpool fans.

Kerkez vs Robertson Data comparison 24/25