Liverpool news: Five potential replacements for Andy Robertson - Milos Kerkez included
With Andy Robertson turning 31 recently, Liverpool’s left-back position is just one of many positions Arne Slot will be looking to improve this summer.
However, the tactical demands the Dutchman places on his full-backs means replacing the long-serving Scotsman is not an easy task.
Arguably, even Robertson himself is unsuited to the style favoured by Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
The left-back has had to sacrifice the attacking runs he became loved for under the German for the sake of Liverpool’s defensive stability.
This means there is an opportunity to not only replace the Liverpool legend but upgrade their left-hand side, too.
With that in mind, Transfer News Blitz writer Jack Burgess has identified five players Liverpool could target for Robertson’s role.
Milos Kerkez, AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth are having a phenomenal season under Andoni Iraola this season, with Milos Kerkez a breakout star for the Cherries.
Whilst forwards such as Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo have grabbed the headlines on the South Coast, hype has quietly been building over their Hungarian left-back.
With two assists and five goals this season, the 21-year-old has established himself as one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
Whilst Kerkez’s name has been linked with Liverpool for quite some time, it was his performance in the Cherries’ 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United which caught the eye of many Scousers.
With the game already won, the Hungarian capped off a dominant display with a charging run and finish in stoppage time, demonstrating an energy the Reds have become accustomed to from their Scotsman over the years - and a finesse he currently lacks.
Meanwhile, his close relationship with compatriot Dominik Szobozslai has led many to believe Merseyside could be the ideal destination for Kerkez.
However, whilst Kerkez’s overlapping style of play may be exhilarating on the South Coast, Slot has different demands for his full-backs.
The Dutchman is keen for his left-back to be comfortable inverting into central areas of the pitch, as well as charging down the wing, which Kerkez excels in.
But forming a back-three whilst out of possession is not exactly the young man’s forte at the moment, and although the Hungarian has plenty of time to be moulded into Slot’s demands, Liverpool will likely want a more ready-made replacement.
Plus, with a whole host of suitors linked with the Bournemouth man - including both Manchester clubs - it is unlikely FSG will want to be dragged into a bidding war.
On the other hand, Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, joined from the Cherries last summer, so may have enough inside knowledge to justify taking a punt on the 21-year-old.
Rayan Aït Nouri, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Plucked from French side Angers SCO in January 2021, Wolves’ Rayan Aït Nouri has four-and-a-half seasons of Premier League football under his belt.
During his time at Molineux, the Algerian has become renowned for his mazy ventures into the opposition half and has nine goal involvements to show for those efforts this season.
As demonstrated by the fact he has taken twice as many shots per 90 (0.9) as Robertson this season, Aït Nouri is certainly the more adventurous option to replace the Scotsman.
Of course, this is partly due to his advanced wing-back role for Vitor Pereira’s side, which suits Aït Nouri’s attacking strengths more.
However, Slot will likely ask him to curtail those strengths in a more withdrawn role, meaning a move to Liverpool may not be ideal for either party.
On the other hand, already a Premier League starter at the age of 23, Aït Nouri certainly fits the criteria Liverpool’s hierarchy looks for in transfers - old enough to deal with the pressure but young enough to have their best years ahead of them.
Moreover, the Algerian has just one year remaining on his contract, meaning any potential deal could be cheaper than his current £34million valuation.
With more pressing areas of the squad to address this summer, Aït Nouri could be an attractive option, allowing the Reds to invest more money in replacing some - or all - of their star trio.
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Quilindschy Hartman, Feyenoord
If anyone can handle Slot’s demands, it’s Quilindschy Hartman.
The Dutch international played 71 times for Feyenoord and won the Eredivisie in 2022/23 during Slot’s time in Rotterdam.
In a role typical of Holland’s total football philosophy, Hartman’s flexibility was a key component of Feyenoord’s title charge.
Able to form a back-three to provide sufficient cover, move into midfield to create overloads, and maintain the width of a traditional full-back when required, the Dutchman carried out Slot’s difficult requests to perfection.
What’s more impressive is that the 23-year-old did so after damaging his cruciate ligament in the previous season.
It’s that sort of resilience that will be useful when adapting to life in England.
Moreover, with a core group of Dutch players there to welcome him to Merseyside, the transition could be seamless.
A further knee injury, which kept Hartman on the sidelines for ten months until January of this year, suggests the Eredivisie man may be slightly injury-prone, but Slot and his world-class fitness staff will be confident of turning the young man’s fortunes around.
With the familiarity and flexibility he offers, a possible reunion has the potential to be a happy one for the Reds.
What’s more, with only a year left on his deal and the good relations Slot has with his old club, negotiations may favour Liverpool.
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Antonee Robinson, Fulham
In what could turn out to have been a dress rehearsal for the Fulham left-back, the American impressed the Anfield crowd back in December, assisting both goals in a 2-2 draw.
Indeed, a look at Robinson’s assists this season suggests the 27-year-old could replicate the form of Robertson’s earlier seasons at Liverpool should he make the switch to L4 this summer.
His ten assists this season are just short of Robertson’s own Premier League record (12), which he set during Liverpool's title win in 2019/20.
However, the problem for Robinson, as with many targets, is that Liverpool do not want a replica of the old Robertson.
Gone are the days when Liverpool’s full-backs were the creative focal points of the side.
Therefore, Robinson is another one who’s creative efforts may be stifled by Slot’s tactical demands.
Additionally, I mentioned ideal age brackets before.
The Fulham man turns 28 this summer and falls just short of Liverpool’s ideal 22-27 age bracket.
It is likely Hughes & Co. would probably prefer someone younger to set the team’s left-hand side up for the foreseeable future, much like they did when rebuilding the midfield in the summer of 2023.
Miguel Gutierrez, Girona
A product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Guitierrez made nine appearances for his boyhood club before moving to Girona in 2022.
The Spaniard has since found his feet in Catalonia, establishing himself as an all-rounder in a team that cracked Europe’s elite recently.
The 23-year-old was even name checked by Slot himself back in December, ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League game against Girona.
The Dutchman said: “Last season I watched quite a lot of (Girona), because I found it really interesting what he (the manager) did with the left full-back (Gutierrez).
“He’s still doing it this season as well, playing so inverted, having such a free role from that position. At that moment of time, you didn’t see that so often. That was interesting to see.”
He may have Slot’s approval, but Liverpool may be beaten to the Spainard’s signature by Los Blancos.
Real Madrid are believed to have inserted a buy-back clause of £7.5million into Gutierrez’s current Girona contract.
Furthermore, Girona are part of the City Football Group, who also own domestic rivals Manchester City.
This means any negotiations will be tricky, even if the Spanish giants do keep their hands off Gutierrez for the time being.
An important summer ahead
Such is the specificity of the left-back role in Slot’s machinery, it is unlikely a perfect option exists.
Who they buy also depends largely on what happens elsewhere in the squad.
Beyond the contract sagas of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s forward line needs a lot of work too this summer.
This makes for an important summer for the Reds.
With plenty of headaches for Liverpool’s recruitment team, don’t be surprised to see Robertson hold onto the left-back spot for another year to take some of the pressure off Richard Hughes this summer.
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