Robertson, Kerkez and Liverpool: Why January Decisions Could Shape the Reds’ Season

Liverpool’s January transfer window is rapidly becoming one of the most defining periods of Arne Slot’s early reign, with uncertainty surrounding Andy Robertson and the growing prominence of Milos Kerkez placing the club at a strategic crossroads.

As reported by Lewis Steele in the Daily Mail, discussions are ongoing over Robertson’s future amid interest from Tottenham, while Liverpool continue to place significant faith in Kerkez following his arrival last summer. Together, these developments reflect a wider recalibration at Anfield — one that balances loyalty, performance, and long-term squad planning.

With injuries mounting and defensive consistency wavering, the coming weeks may determine whether Liverpool can stabilise their campaign or risk further regression.

Robertson’s Future and Liverpool’s Contract Position

Andy Robertson’s status has become one of the most closely watched issues at Anfield this winter. The Scotland international, signed from Hull City in 2017, has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s most successful modern era, collecting multiple major honours and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most consistent full-backs.

However, at 31, and with his contract entering its final phase, Liverpool now face a familiar dilemma: whether to extend, sell, or retain until expiry.

According to the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, Tottenham have opened dialogue over a potential January move, with Robertson understood to be seeking regular football ahead of Scotland’s return to major tournament competition later this year. While Liverpool remain reluctant to sanction a mid-season exit, financial realities and squad evolution are shaping internal discussions.

The club has historically preferred to avoid allowing senior assets to run down their contracts. Yet Robertson’s influence in the dressing room, coupled with his vice-captaincy, complicates any straightforward decision.

Liverpool’s recruitment department is believed to be assessing multiple scenarios, balancing immediate squad depth against longer-term succession planning.

Kerkez’s Rise and Changing Left-Back Dynamics

Milos Kerkez’s emergence has quietly transformed Liverpool’s left-back landscape. The Hungarian international arrived last summer as a £40 million investment, viewed internally as both a present contributor and future first choice.

After an inconsistent opening period, Kerkez has grown in confidence and tactical understanding under Slot, gradually earning extended runs in the starting XI. His athleticism, ball progression, and pressing intensity align closely with Liverpool’s evolving tactical model.

Kerkez himself recently acknowledged Robertson’s influence, describing him as a “legend” and highlighting the learning process involved in adapting to elite Premier League standards. That relationship has eased the transition, but it has also accelerated the shift in hierarchy.

While Robertson remains capable of high-level performances, Kerkez’s trajectory suggests Liverpool are preparing for a gradual handover rather than an abrupt replacement. This approach mirrors previous transitions at Anfield, where experience and youth have been blended during periods of change.

Injury Concerns and Defensive Depth Issues

Liverpool’s defensive fragility this season has added urgency to the Robertson-Kerkez debate. Recent matches have exposed a lack of continuity, driven largely by injury disruption and workload management.

At Bournemouth, three members of the starting back four were forced off, underlining the thin margins currently separating stability from crisis. Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez have all required careful monitoring, while long-term absences have further stretched resources.

Ibrahima Konate’s personal leave and the season-ending injuries to younger options have compounded the issue. In this context, allowing Robertson to depart in January would represent a significant risk.

Liverpool’s medical and performance departments are working to manage minutes across the squad, but fixture congestion remains unforgiving. Slot has already been forced into repeated defensive reshuffles, undermining cohesion and communication.

Retaining experienced figures during this period may prove essential if Liverpool are to maintain European qualification ambitions.

Strategic Implications for Liverpool Under Slot

Beyond individual personnel decisions, Robertson and Kerkez symbolise a wider philosophical shift under Slot’s leadership. The Dutchman has prioritised intensity, positional discipline, and adaptability — attributes that influence recruitment and retention policies.

Liverpool’s hierarchy continues to emphasise sustainability, avoiding short-termism while remaining competitive at the highest level. This balancing act has become more complex in an era of inflated transfer fees and compressed margins for error.

Robertson’s situation tests that model. Selling now could generate modest funds and accelerate renewal. Retaining him safeguards leadership and experience. Extending his contract signals loyalty but carries performance risk.

Kerkez, meanwhile, represents the next phase of Liverpool’s rebuild: younger, dynamic, and aligned with Slot’s tactical blueprint. How quickly that transition is completed will shape the club’s medium-term trajectory.

With Champions League qualification still attainable but far from secure, January decisions may define whether Liverpool can rebuild from within or are forced into reactive measures.

The Robertson-Kerkez axis, therefore, is not merely about left-back rotation — it is about identity, continuity, and ambition in a post-Klopp era.