Liverpool star facing ‘extended spell’ on sidelines as team-mate ‘could be forced out’ of Anfield

Liverpool’s season has started in the kind of way every supporter dreams about. The champions came into this campaign carrying the heavy crown of defending their Premier League title, and many wondered if the hunger would still be there. Would Arne Slot’s men still have the fire, or would the weight of expectation slow them down? Four games into the new season, the answer is as clear as the Anfield night sky after a European victory – Liverpool are still perfect. Four wins from four, twelve points, and the look of a team that refuses to let their grip on the throne loosen. That 1-0 victory over Burnley was not glamorous, not filled with the kind of dazzling goals and spectacular dominance fans sometimes expect, but it was the mark of champions. They found a way, they managed the game, and they kept their 100 percent record alive.

But beneath the celebration of that victory lies a story of selection dilemmas, tactical adjustments, and the type of squad battles that can define a season. When the teamsheets came out before kickoff at Turf Moor, all eyes were on the backline. Slot had chosen to give a start to Milos Kerkez, the young Hungarian left-back who arrived in the summer with a growing reputation. He was meant to represent the next generation, a player who could slowly challenge Andy Robertson for a position he has owned for years. But football is never a straight line, and that afternoon against Burnley, the drama of competition revealed itself once again.

Kerkez started the match brightly, but football is often about small moments that turn the story. In the first half, he picked up a yellow card – not for a crunching tackle or a professional foul, but for something far more frustrating: a dive. A silly decision, one that raised eyebrows on the bench and gave Burnley hope. It wasn’t the type of card that came from being under pressure; it came from a lapse in judgment, and in the Premier League, those mistakes don’t go unnoticed.

Arne Slot, standing on the touchline, had a choice to make. He had seen Burnley threaten on the counter, their pace on the wings occasionally stretching Liverpool’s lines. With Kerkez on a booking, every challenge carried the risk of disaster. The fear wasn’t just about losing the player; it was about losing control of the match. A red card in such a tight game could have undone everything Liverpool had worked for. And so, with the cold calculation of a manager who has already shown he will not hesitate when making big calls, Slot decided to act. Before halftime, the number went up on the board. Kerkez was coming off. Andy Robertson, the old soldier, the reliable warrior of countless battles, was coming on.

It was a moment that said much more than just a substitution. For Robertson, it was another reminder that no matter how many young challengers arrive, his story at Liverpool is not finished yet. For Kerkez, it was a warning. Talent may get you into the squad, but trust is earned, and one reckless decision can push you back down the pecking order.

When the final whistle blewand Liverpool’s 1-0 win was confirmed, many celebrated the clean sheet and the points, but in the shadows of that night, conversations began about Kerkez’s place in the squad. Former Manchester United and Tottenham chief scout Mick Brown was one of the voices to speak up. His verdict was sharp: Kerkez will struggle to get back in front. Those words echoed through the football world, because they hinted at a bigger truth – once you lose the faith of a manager at a big club like Liverpool, the road back is often longer and steeper than you imagine.

For Andy Robertson, the Burnley match was another chapter in his incredible Anfield journey. Many had wondered if this season would finally mark the gradual handover to the next generation. At 31, Robertson has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players of the modern era, a left-back whose energy, tenacity, and leadership have been priceless in the Jurgen Klopp years and now under Arne Slot. Yet here he was again, stepping in when needed, bringing calm, experience, and discipline to a game that could have easily slipped away.

Slot himself addressed the decision after the match. He explained that it wasn’t about punishing Kerkez, but about protecting the team. Managers at this level live in the fine margins. One rash tackle, one misjudged moment, and a booking can become a red card. He didn’t want to gamble. He knew Burnley’s plan, and he knew Robertson could manage the danger better. Still, the cold truth is this – being hooked in the first half is one of the most difficult things for a player to swallow. It leaves scars, especially for a new signing trying to prove himself.

The narrative becomes even more dramatic when you zoom out to Liverpool’s wider season. With the Champions League returning, and with the record-breaking signing of Alexander Isak grabbing headlines, competition for places is hotter than ever. Every position is under scrutiny, and no one is safe from pressure. Kerkez may have believed he would be eased into the side with patience, but Anfield is not a patient place. Big signings, big expectations, and big ambitions mean every mistake is magnified.

Mick Brown’s comments cut deep because they came from a man who has spent his career spotting talent and predicting which players will survive at the top. His suggestion that Kerkez will struggle to get back ahead of Robertson isn’t just about one match; it’s about the culture of winning at Liverpool. To displace a player like Robertson, you need not only skill but also consistency, maturity, and trust. Kerkez is young, and youth often means mistakes. At Liverpool, mistakes are not easily forgiven.

The fans, too, are divided. Some believe Slot was right to protect the team, that the substitution was tactical genius. Others worry about what it does to Kerkez’s confidence. After all, throwing a player under the spotlight like that can affect his growth. But at a club chasing every trophy, there is little room for sentiment. The team must always come first, and Slot has already shown he is willing to be ruthless when needed.

And what of Robertson himself? For a player who has been written off before, this season may turn into a revival story. Just when many thought he would slowly fade into a rotation role, he might instead prove that experience is still priceless. His leadership, his drive, and his understanding of the Liverpool way could keep him in the side longer than expected. Football is not just about youth and energy; it is about mentality and reliability. Robertson has both in abundance.

Kerkez’s future is not doomed – far from it. Many great players have stumbled in their early days at big clubs. The question is how he responds. Will he shrink under the pressure, or will he fight back and show he has the mentality to be part of Liverpool’s story? That is what Arne Slot will want to see in training, in the smaller matches, and in every chance he gets. In football, redemption is always possible, but it is never given. It must be earned.

As Liverpool prepare for bigger battles ahead, this small story at Turf Moor may end up being remembered as a turning point. Not just for the title defense, but for the careers of two players at different stages of their journey. For Robertson, it could be the season where he proves he is still indispensable. For Kerkez, it could be the season that teaches him the hardest lesson – that in the ruthless world of elite football, mistakes carry heavy prices, and every chance you get might be your last.

The Burnley win will fade into the long list of victories that make up a title defense, but the drama behind that substitution will linger. It is the type of moment that defines squads, that tests characters, and that reminds everyone that football is more than just goals and points. It is about the human battles within the team, the silent rivalries, and the constant fight to stay at the top.

Liverpool are perfect so far, but perfection comes at a cost. For Kerkez, that cost might be his place in the team. For Robertson, it is another chance to show he still belongs among the very best. And for Arne Slot, it is proof that he will not hesitate to make the difficult calls that keep Liverpool marching forward.

The season is long, and the story is far from finished. But in the theatre of English football, even the smallest moments can become the turning points that shape history