Milos Kerkez arrived at Liverpool in the summer with the reputation of being one of Europe’s most promising young full backs, yet his first months on Merseyside have been a test of resilience. The Hungarian defender has found rhythm difficult to establish, losing his place in Arne Slot’s starting team to Andy Robertson. International duty in November offered the chance to reset, although early signs from Hungary’s latest outing suggest that confidence remains fragile.

Hungary Duty Highlights Ongoing Struggles

Kerkez played 80 minutes in Hungary’s 1-0 win over Armenia, a result shaped by a moment of quality from Dominik Szoboszlai who delivered the match winning assist. For the Liverpool left back, the contest felt less restorative. Reports from Hungarian outlet Nemzeti Sport painted a picture of a player still battling uncertainty. The publication rated him six out of ten and stated that he played with “uncertainty” and that he made some “astonishing” mistakes in possession. They added that his self belief appears to have “disappeared” after recent difficulties at Liverpool.

Pundits have also seen the shift with Chris Sutton, saying, “All of a sudden I think he has lost faith in Kerkez”.

Slot’s Dilemma at Left Back

Slot backed Kerkez strongly in the early weeks of the season. The Liverpool head coach selected him ahead of Robertson and made it clear that youth would not be a barrier to opportunity. That faith was admirable, although the defensive instability that followed forced a rethink. Once Kerkez began to look exposed, Slot returned to the reliability of Robertson.

The Hungary match had been viewed as a platform for Kerkez to signal his readiness to compete again. Instead, reviews suggest that the Liverpool defender has yet to rediscover the assertiveness that persuaded the club to sign him. With Liverpool moving into the winter schedule, Slot must now balance long term development with short term performance.

Path Forward for Kerkez at Liverpool

Kerkez remains only 21, and development at his age rarely follows a straight line. Liverpool signed him for his potential, his energy and his aggression in wide areas, qualities that still exist beneath the current hesitancy. For the moment, protecting him from excessive scrutiny looks essential. Robertson will hold the left back role while Kerkez works behind the scenes to iron out those technical inconsistencies.