Carragher’s Kerkez Warning Raises Questions Over Liverpool’s Left-Back Balance
Jamie Carragher has never been one to soften his language when he believes Liverpool standards are slipping. Following the 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage, his assessment of Milos Kerkez was striking not just for its bluntness, but for what it revealed about Liverpool’s current selection tensions.
The former Liverpool defender delivered his verdict before kick-off and doubled down after full-time, arguing that Kerkez should not be playing every week and insisting that Andy Robertson remains the more reliable option. His comments quickly became the dominant talking point of the evening, eclipsing even a dramatic late equaliser that denied Liverpool victory.
Carragher questions weekly role for Kerkez
Carragher’s criticism began ahead of Sunday’s match, when he was asked whether rotation with Robertson had benefited Kerkez. His response was emphatic.
“No,” Carragher said. “But I think it’s working for Liverpool in that I don’t think he should be playing every week.”
That view was rooted in Carragher’s belief that Robertson, despite reduced minutes this season, has delivered a higher level when called upon.
“You’ve got too good a player in Andy Robertson who needs to play games as well,” he continued. “I think when Andy Robertson’s played, he hasn’t played as much as Kerkez, I think you’d probably say Andy Robertson’s performances have been better than Kerkez’s.”
The implication was clear. While Kerkez remains an important part of Liverpool’s plans, Carragher does not believe he is ready to shoulder the responsibility of being the undisputed first choice at left-back.
Unflattering comparison underlines concerns
Carragher’s most eye-catching comments came when he reached for a comparison that instantly cut through social media and supporter debate.
“It’s funny watching [Kerkez] play,” he said. “I always remember speaking about Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Liverpool have missed enormously of course, and said it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne at right-back.”
The contrast that followed was deliberately stark.
“Sometimes when you watch Kerkez, it’s like having Darwin Nunez at left-back, it’s just a bit mad.”
Carragher expanded on that point, focusing on what he sees as a lack of composure and clarity in possession.
“There’s no real thought process, what’s he doing with the ball, how’s he connecting with other players, it’s just head down, run. He never gets his head up and actually plays passes.”
The criticism was aimed less at Kerkez’s effort or physicality and more at his decision-making, particularly in moments when Liverpool need control rather than chaos.
Fulham draw reinforces narrative
Liverpool appeared to have rescued victory in stoppage time through a late goal, only for Fulham to equalise seconds later and force a share of the points. The match itself was frantic and emotionally draining, but Kerkez’s performance sat squarely in the analytical spotlight afterwards.
Carragher acknowledged the difficulty of Kerkez’s transition but insisted improvement is non-negotiable.
“He’s found it tough, it’s been a struggle for him,” Carragher said. “He’s a young man, but he will have to improve in the second half of the season, there’s no doubt about that.”
That assessment was echoed by fellow pundit Kris Boyd, who highlighted repeated attacking runs down the left flank that lacked quality in the final delivery.
“A lot of times Kerkez ran down the left-hand side and his final ball was not good enough,” Boyd said. “He’s definitely not hit the heights he did last season.”
Pressure grows as Liverpool chase consistency
Kerkez arrived with significant promise and has shown flashes of why Liverpool invested in him, particularly in his energy and willingness to drive forward. However, Carragher’s intervention reflects a broader reality at elite level: potential must quickly translate into reliability.
Some supporters pushed back strongly against the tone of the criticism, pointing to recent performances and arguing that Kerkez has been among Liverpool’s better players in certain fixtures. Others accepted Carragher’s analysis as a necessary reminder of the standards required at a club expected to win every week.
For Liverpool, the issue now is balance. Rotation may protect Kerkez while keeping Robertson sharp, but every selection decision will be scrutinised more intensely after such public critique.
Carragher’s comments do not define Kerkez’s future, but they do frame the challenge ahead. Development is still possible, progress is expected, and patience exists only up to a point. At Liverpool, the margin for error is slim, and the spotlight rarely dims.
