The story of Liverpool this season has turned into something nobody expected. The team that lifted the Premier League title with power and belief has now fallen into confusion and frustration. Arne Slot, the man chosen to lead the new era at Anfield, stands under growing pressure after four painful defeats in the league. The fans who once sang his name with hope are beginning to whisper in worry, and the question on everyone’s lips is simple: what went wrong? Ahead of the clash with Aston Villa, Slot faces a decision that could define not only the game but perhaps his whole early time in charge of Liverpool. The decision is about the left side of defence, about a young man named Milos Kerkez and a warrior named Andy Robertson. One is full of promise, the other full of experience. One is learning to handle the weight of Liverpool, the other has carried that weight for years. And now, Slot must choose which one to trust.
When Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for £40 million, many fans were excited. He had just enjoyed a wonderful season for the Cherries, showing speed, energy, and even a bit of goal threat. Two goals, six assists, and a place in the PFA Team of the Year made him look like the perfect modern full-back. Liverpool wanted a young, hungry defender who could run endlessly and attack with courage, and Kerkez looked exactly that. Nobody complained when his signing was announced. People said he would be the long-term replacement for Robertson, but they expected a slow transition, not an immediate takeover. That was the surprise. Slot put Kerkez straight into the starting eleven. He became first choice from day one, while Robertson was pushed to the side, watching from the bench, waiting for his moment.
At first it seemed exciting. In wins over Arsenal and Everton, Kerkez looked sharp, moving up and down the wing with confidence. But as the weeks passed, his shine started to fade. Mistakes crept into his game. His positioning looked uncertain, and sometimes his decision-making hurt the team. Against Brentford, even though he scored a goal, his defending was poor. Liverpool lost 3-2, and fans started to talk. They remembered Robertson’s energy, his leadership, his voice on the pitch. They wondered if Slot had been too quick to replace him. The loss against Brentford made the frustration even louder. Four league defeats in a row left Liverpool’s title defence hanging by a thread. And for the first time, the questions were not only about the players — they were about the manager.
Slot defended his choices, but inside he must have known something had to change. His system relies on balance, but the left side of defence has become a weakness. Kerkez, only 21, still learning the Premier League rhythm, looked lost in big moments. He is talented, yes, but he needs time — time that Liverpool do not have right now. The Premier League is unforgiving. Every mistake costs points, every hesitation invites criticism. Fans, media, even pundits like Gary Neville began to question the young full-back. It is easy to forget how young he is, how quickly his world has changed — from AC Milan’s youth setup to Bournemouth to now standing under the lights of Anfield, with 50,000 fans watching his every move. For a player of 21, it is heavy pressure.
And yet, for Slot, the issue is not only about protecting a young player. It is about saving Liverpool’s season. After four defeats, he cannot afford another experiment. The team needs leadership, and the left-back position has always been a place of leadership under Andy Robertson. The Scotland international, now 31, may not be as quick as he once was, but his heart remains unmatched. He has been through every high and low at Liverpool — Champions League wins, Premier League glory, heartbreaks in finals, and injuries that could have broken lesser men. He knows the meaning of fighting back. And now, when Liverpool look lost, it feels like the perfect moment for him to return.
There was a hint, a small clue that the change might be coming. After the defeat to Brentford, Slot made several changes for the Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace. Most senior players were rested — Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai — but Kerkez still started. Not only that, he played all 90 minutes as Liverpool lost 3-0. That was the signal. When a player who is struggling starts back-to-back games while others are rested, it often means the manager is preparing to drop him for the next big league match. Robertson, on the other hand, played only 67 minutes and was then substituted. He looked sharp, focused, almost like a man waiting to reclaim what was once his. For fans, that substitution felt symbolic — the return of their warrior.
Slot’s choices this season have not been easy. He has tried to rotate, to balance energy and experience, but Liverpool’s form has punished him. Some say he has been too brave; others say he has been too stubborn. Either way, the time has come for adjustments. The Villa game will not just be about tactics; it will be about spirit. The team need leaders on the pitch, players who know how to handle pressure. Robertson is exactly that. His voice lifts the defence. His connection with the crowd gives life to Anfield. His chemistry with the midfield and front line makes Liverpool’s left side dangerous again. Slot knows this. He has seen what Robertson brings when the team is desperate. And right now, Liverpool are desperate.
The fans remember how Robertson used to sprint the full length of the pitch to win back the ball, how he celebrated tackles like goals. That passion is what Liverpool have missed. Kerkez has the potential to become that kind of player, but not yet. He needs patience, time to learn under the right guidance. For now, he might learn best from watching. Every player, even the great ones, has gone through such phases. Trent Alexander-Arnold once had difficult months too, and he grew stronger because of them. The same can happen to Kerkez, but only if Slot protects him rather than exposing him to endless criticism.
The question is whether Slot will truly trust his instincts and make the brave call to bring back Robertson. There are whispers that he will. His team selection hints at it. His words after the Palace game suggested change was coming. He spoke about needing more leadership, more communication, more fight. And those three qualities point directly to Robertson. The Scotland captain has been patient. He knows he is not the future, but he also knows he is not finished. At 31, he still believes he can play at the highest level. This Villa game gives him the chance to prove it.
Inside Melwood, training has been intense. Reports say Robertson has looked sharp, shouting instructions, guiding the younger players. Slot has noticed it. He has also noticed how the dressing room lifts when Robertson is around. The senior players respect him deeply. Even Salah and Van Dijk often turn to him in tough times. His leadership is quiet but powerful, built on action rather than words. And when a team is losing, actions matter more than anything else. That is why many believe Slot will start him against Villa. It is not only a tactical change; it is an emotional reset.
Liverpool’s fans have been patient but restless. They have watched the team slip down the table, their attacking rhythm fading, their defensive line losing shape. They are craving something familiar, something that reminds them of Klopp’s glory days — passion, energy, commitment. Robertson represents that old Liverpool spirit. His return could send a message: that the fight is not over, that this team still has warriors who will not give up. Sometimes football needs such symbols. It is not always about stats and formations; it is about belief. Slot may be new to the Premier League, but even he must understand that.
Kerkez, meanwhile, will have to accept his temporary role. For a young player, being dropped can hurt the ego, but it can also be a lesson. He will still be important in cup games and future seasons. Liverpool invested in him for the long term. But at this moment, experience must take priority over development. The Premier League does not wait for anyone. Slot’s own job security may depend on getting results quickly. Four defeats in a row have already drawn criticism from fans and pundits. A fifth could open up even deeper cracks. The Villa game is not just another fixture; it is a must-win battle. And in battles, commanders need their generals — Robertson is one.
For Liverpool supporters, the thought of Robertson leading the line again brings a sense of comfort. They remember his partnership with Sadio Mané on the left flank, the way they used to tear defences apart. Those days may be gone, but the hunger remains. Robertson has spoken before about his desire to keep proving people wrong. He once said he would play until his legs give up, that he would never hide from a challenge. That mentality is what Slot’s Liverpool desperately need. The young players — Kerkez, Bradley, Szoboszlai — can learn from it. The club has always been built on fighters, not passengers. Robertson embodies that DNA.
As the Villa game approaches, the atmosphere around Anfield feels tense but hopeful. Fans expect changes, and many believe Robertson will finally start. They want to see passion again, even more than perfection. They can forgive mistakes, but not a lack of fight. Slot, aware of this, knows his selection will speak louder than his words. If he restores Robertson, it will be seen as an admission that his early choices were too bold. But it will also be seen as wisdom — the kind of adjustment that shows learning, not weakness. Every great manager must know when to trust experience over youth, and this might be Slot’s first real test of that wisdom.
There is also a personal story within this decision. Robertson’s pride has been wounded this season. To go from being one of the first names on the team sheet to sitting on the bench must have hurt. But he has handled it professionally. No complaints, no media drama. He kept working quietly, waiting for his chance. That shows his character. It also shows his love for Liverpool. Many players at his age would have looked for a move, but Robertson stayed because he believes he still has something to give. Now, the stage might be his again, and everyone at Anfield will be watching closely.
If Robertson does start and performs well, it could mark the turning point of Liverpool’s season. Sometimes one change, one player, one performance can spark a whole revival. The defence would feel more organised, the midfield more connected, the crowd more alive. Kerkez, watching from the bench, could use that as inspiration to improve. And Slot, under pressure, could finally breathe. Football is full of such moments — when experience rescues a team from chaos. The story of Liverpool’s season might yet be rewritten, starting with one brave decision on the left flank.
But if Slot sticks with Kerkez, the risk is clear. Another poor performance, another defeat, and the criticism will grow louder. It will not only target the player; it will fall heavily on the manager. The fans’ patience is running out. They want results, not experiments. That is why many believe Slot cannot afford to get this one wrong. The Villa match is more than just three points; it is a test of leadership, judgment, and courage. The decision between Robertson and Kerkez has become a symbol of something much bigger — the battle between experience and youth, stability and risk, tradition and innovation. Whatever Slot chooses will define the narrative around Liverpool for weeks to come.
For Robertson, this is a chance to remind the world who he is — the fighter from Glasgow who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the best full-backs in the world. For Kerkez, it is a lesson in patience, a reminder that greatness takes time. And for Slot, it is a chance to show that he understands Liverpool — not just as a football club, but as a feeling, a heartbeat, a culture that values passion above all else. As the sun sets on Merseyside and the lights of Anfield prepare to shine again, one question remains: who will Slot trust on that left flank when Aston Villa arrive? The answer could decide more than just the game. It could decide the direction of Liverpool’s season — and maybe even the future of Arne Slot himself.
