The story of Milos Kerkez at Liverpool is already shaping into one of the most dramatic tales of the season. When Liverpool confirmed his signing from Bournemouth during the summer transfer window, the announcement was greeted with excitement. Fans saw him as a young, hungry full-back who could grow into the role and perhaps one day succeed Andy Robertson. But just weeks into his life at Anfield, Kerkez has found himself in the eye of a storm, with whispers about his past behaviour resurfacing, questions raised about his temperament, and doubts over whether he can handle the heavy weight of the Liverpool shirt.
The beginning of his Liverpool career has been anything but smooth. His full Premier League debut against Burnley was meant to be the night he proved himself, but instead it turned into a nightmare. Booked for diving, then nearly sent off for a reckless challenge, Kerkez was hooked before half-time. Anfield could not believe what it was seeing, and the travelling Liverpool fans sat in shock as the young defender trudged off the pitch, his head bowed, his dream start quickly turning into a harsh reality. That substitution told its own story: the manager Arne Slot had lost trust in him on the night, and it sent a clear message that at Liverpool, mistakes are punished instantly.
For Kerkez, that was not the only setback. Days later, Liverpool faced Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Many expected him to be handed a chance at redemption. Instead, Slot turned to Robertson, the veteran, the trusted warrior of many seasons. Kerkez was left on the bench, watching his teammates from the sidelines, knowing that opportunities at a club like Liverpool do not come often and can disappear quickly if you fail to seize them. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
But even as fans debated whether Kerkez was ready, darker stories from his past began to resurface. According to reports from his time as a teenager at Rapid Wien, Kerkez was released not because of lack of talent, but because of what officials described as “behavioural issues.” He was reportedly hard to manage, fiery, and unpredictable. Former Hungarian international Adam Bogdan painted a vivid picture when he said Kerkez was “like a young horse, kicking everything.” Those words were not meant as a brutal criticism, but as a reflection of his raw energy, his wild nature, and his fiery personality. Yet, when taken out of context, they gave ammunition to critics eager to question his character.
Now at Liverpool, with the world’s eyes on him, those old labels are being repeated. “Hard to manage,” “temperamental,” “reckless”—all words that can easily crush the confidence of a 20-year-old trying to adapt at one of the biggest clubs in the world. At Bournemouth, he was allowed to play with freedom, his mistakes forgiven as part of the learning curve. At Liverpool, things are different. The standards are higher, the pressure unbearable, and every wrong step is magnified a hundred times over.
Captain Virgil van Dijk has already stepped in with words of calm and reassurance. Speaking after the Burnley game, the Dutchman was quick to defend the youngster. “Milos is a fantastic, aggressive, full-of-energy player,” Van Dijk said. “He’s learning how we play, learning the intensity of Liverpool, and it’s not easy. But he will be fine.” Those words mattered, because in the storm of criticism, the support of a leader like Van Dijk could be the shield that protects Kerkez from drowning under pressure.
Andy Robertson, too, has played his part. The Scotland captain has seen everything in football—setbacks, injuries, criticism—and he knows what it takes to rise above. After Kerkez’s Burnley disaster, Robertson reportedly reached out with encouragement. To some, it may feel strange: the veteran helping the youngster who was brought in to eventually take his place. But that is Liverpool’s culture, a family where competition exists alongside brotherhood. Robertson reminded Kerkez that mistakes do not define careers, but character does.
The big question, however, is whether Kerkez himself can rise to the challenge. Some observers, like former Watford striker Troy Deeney, believe the pressure of Anfield has overwhelmed him. Deeney compared the situation to a shirt that is “too heavy” for Kerkez. He pointed out that at Bournemouth, the atmosphere was different: smaller crowds, less expectation, more patience. At Liverpool, the stadium roars, the spotlight burns, and the demands are ruthless. If you falter, the noise grows louder and louder, and for a young player, that noise can quickly become unbearable.
Kerkez has the talent, no one doubts that. His speed, his aggression, his fearlessness—all the qualities of a modern full-back are there. But he needs to learn control. At Burnley, his rashness nearly cost Liverpool, and Slot wasted no time in acting. In that moment, Kerkez may have learned his most important lesson: talent alone is not enough at Liverpool. You must have discipline, maturity, and the ability to keep calm under the fiercest pressure.
What makes his story even more fascinating is the upcoming Merseyside Derby. For Liverpool fans, Everton at Anfield is not just a game; it is war. The intensity, the passion, the ferocity of the clash can break players who are not ready. For Kerkez, the derby could either be his redemption or his downfall. Will Slot trust him with a start in such a fiery fixture? Or will he play it safe with Robertson? That decision could shape the next chapter of Kerkez’s Liverpool story.
Behind the drama lies a bigger truth: Kerkez is still only 20 years old. Young players are meant to make mistakes, meant to stumble before they find their feet. But at a club like Liverpool, patience is often short, and the demands are brutal. Fans want instant results, managers want consistency, and rivals show no mercy. For Kerkez, the challenge is to prove he can adapt quickly, to show that the fire inside him can be controlled and channelled into greatness rather than chaos.
The whispers about his past may never go away, but he has the power to rewrite the narrative. Many great players have been doubted in their early years. Robertson himself was written off when he joined Liverpool from Hull City. Critics said he was too average, too small, not good enough. Years later, he became one of the best full-backs in the world. Why can’t Kerkez follow that same path?
Slot has a role to play, too. The new Liverpool manager must decide how to handle the youngster. Does he protect him, easing him into the team slowly? Or does he throw him into the deep end, forcing him to learn through fire? Both strategies carry risks, and only time will tell whether Slot can guide Kerkez onto the right path.
For now, the young Hungarian stands at a crossroads. He can allow the criticism to define him, or he can use it as fuel to prove everyone wrong. He can let his past reputation of being “hard to manage” haunt him, or he can show maturity beyond his years and become a key part of Liverpool’s future.
The Liverpool shirt is heavy, yes. It has weighed down many players before him. But it has also transformed boys into legends. The question is whether Milos Kerkez has the strength to carry it.
As the Merseyside Derby approaches, all eyes will be on Arne Slot’s team sheet. Will Kerkez’s name be there? Will he be trusted to fight in one of the most brutal fixtures in English football? The answer could be the spark that defines his Liverpool journey.
One thing is certain: his story is only just beginning. And whether it ends in redemption or regret will depend on how Milos Kerkez responds to the biggest challenge of his young career.
