Liverpool has always been a club built on competition, hunger, and the fight for places, and nothing shows that reality more than what is happening at the left-back position this season. For years, Andy Robertson has been one of the most reliable names on the team sheet. He has been more than just a defender; he has been a warrior, a captain for his country, a relentless runner, and a symbol of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool era. But football is not sentimental, and as seasons pass, clubs are forced to make decisions that sometimes push even legends aside. That is the story that is slowly developing at Anfield, where new signing Milos Kerkez has been given the chance to take over the left-back role from Robertson. At just 21 years of age, Kerkez was seen as Liverpool’s future in that role, but as recent events have shown, Robertson is not ready to surrender without a fight.
Liverpool made a big call this summer. Arne Slot wanted to bring new energy, and Milos Kerkez was one of the signings meant to freshen things up. The Hungarian international had impressed with his speed, energy, and aggression, and the club thought the timing was right to prepare for life after Robertson. After all, Robertson is now 31, and last season was far from his best. Injuries, dips in form, and the changes in Klopp’s final year meant Robertson did not look like the same unstoppable force that terrorized right wingers and delivered assists with machine-like precision. For the first time in his Liverpool career, questions were asked about his place in the team, and whispers began to spread that his time as the undisputed left-back might be over.
When Kerkez arrived, he walked straight into the starting lineup. Slot trusted him from day one, and the Hungarian started the first three Premier League games. At first, his performances were shaky. The speed of English football is different from anything he had seen before, and some of his positioning was questioned. But against Arsenal, in the third match, he looked far more composed, and fans started to see why the club believed he could be the long-term solution. The message was clear: Robertson would have to fight if he wanted his spot back.
But then came the international break, and with it, a twist that might change the story completely. Robertson, who had not started for Liverpool this season, returned to captain Scotland in a World Cup qualifier against Denmark. He was sensational. He led by example, bombing down the left flank, delivering crosses, fighting for every ball, and showing the same energy that made him a Premier League and Champions League winner. The match ended 0-0, but the Scottish media were full of praise for Robertson. The Scotsman newspaper gave him an 8/10, praising his composure and reminding everyone that “class is permanent.” The Herald also gave him an 8/10, talking about his dangerous deliveries into the box and how fresh he looked despite barely playing at club level. The Edinburgh Evening News highlighted his crossing, his energy, and his leadership.
In one game, Robertson reminded the world—and perhaps Arne Slot—that he is not finished yet. This is a player who has spent nearly a decade fighting against the odds, rising from Queen’s Park in Scotland to Hull City, and then to Liverpool, where he became one of the greatest left-backs in the modern game. To think that he would simply step aside for a 21-year-old without a fight is to misunderstand who Andy Robertson really is.
Now the situation is fascinating for Slot. On one hand, Kerkez represents the future. He is young, hungry, and will only improve by playing consistently in the Premier League. Liverpool signed him not to sit on the bench but to grow into a leader in that position. On the other hand, Robertson’s performance for Scotland shows he still has plenty left to give. He may not be the future, but he might still be the present. A Liverpool team chasing trophies cannot afford to leave quality and experience on the bench if it can still deliver.
For Milos Kerkez, the pressure has increased. Before, he may have thought that he only had to adjust to English football and the spot was his. But now, he knows Robertson is waiting, sharper than ever, ready to prove himself again. One slip, one bad performance, and the fans might call for the return of the man they know and love. For years, Robertson has been a fan favorite at Anfield. His passion, his energy, his attitude on and off the pitch made him one of the most loved players in Klopp’s squad. The Liverpool crowd never forgets loyalty, and Robertson has given everything for the badge. That bond between player and fans is powerful, and Kerkez will need to play at a very high level to win the same trust.
This story is also about Slot. Every manager faces tough decisions, and this is one of the first big ones in his Liverpool career. Does he stick with Kerkez to build for the future, even if Robertson looks sharper? Or does he reward Robertson’s form and risk slowing down Kerkez’s development? For Slot, this is not just about picking a player. It is about setting a tone for his reign at Liverpool. Klopp was always loyal to his senior players, but Slot might want to show that reputation and history do not guarantee anything. Still, he must be careful. Dropping Robertson completely could create unrest among fans and even in the dressing room. A balance must be found.
Perhaps the best solution will be rotation. Liverpool are competing in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. There will be more than enough matches for both Robertson and Kerkez to feature regularly. But competition can be healthy, and this battle might bring the best out of both players. If Robertson wants to prove he is still world-class, he will train harder, fight harder, and deliver more in matches. If Kerkez wants to secure his future, he will push himself to improve every week, knowing he cannot relax for a second. In the end, Liverpool could benefit the most from this rivalry.
Still, there is drama in every corner of this situation. If Robertson keeps playing like he did for Scotland and Kerkez struggles, Slot may face calls to drop his young signing. If Kerkez shines and Robertson is left out for too long, there may be whispers about whether Robertson will finally leave Anfield. Last summer, there were already rumors linking him with a move, but he stayed loyal to the club. How long will that loyalty last if he is only used as a backup?
Robertson is not just any player. He has worn the armband for Liverpool on many occasions when Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk were unavailable. He is a leader in the dressing room and a symbol of the Klopp era. Replacing him is not only about football; it is about replacing part of Liverpool’s identity. That will not be easy, and Kerkez will feel the weight of that responsibility.
For the fans, this battle will be emotional. Many will want to see Kerkez succeed because they know the club must look ahead. But many will also hope Robertson has one last great chapter to write at Anfield. Few players have embodied the spirit of the club as much as he has, and for supporters, seeing him fight back would be a story of resilience and loyalty.
As the season unfolds, this duel could become one of the most interesting subplots of Liverpool’s campaign. Titles are often won not just by star signings or big goals, but by the depth and hunger within the squad. Having Robertson and Kerkez pushing each other might be exactly what Liverpool needs to stay sharp in a season where every detail will matter.
Football is cruel, but it is also beautiful. It gives young players like Kerkez the chance to take over from legends. But it also gives legends like Robertson the chance to remind the world why they became legends in the first place. At Liverpool, the left-back position is no longer a certainty. It is a battlefield, and both Robertson and Kerkez are ready to fight.
If Robertson’s performance for Scotland was any indication, Milos Kerkez is in trouble. Not because he lacks talent, but because Andy Robertson is not going quietly. He is ready to fight, ready to run, ready to cross, and ready to prove that he still belongs at the very top. For Liverpool and for Slot, this is a dilemma, but for fans, it is a story of passion, loyalty, and competition—the kind of story that makes football what it is.
And when the next Liverpool game arrives, all eyes will be on that left-back position. Who will Slot choose? The young Hungarian building his future or the Scottish warrior refusing to let go of his crown? Whatever the decision, one thing is certain: the battle is only just beginning
