Report: Ian Wright Hints at Kerkez to Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Kerkez As Wright Fuels Transfer Talk

Liverpool are poised for a pivotal summer under incoming head coach Arne Slot, who insists he is largely content with the squad inherited from Jürgen Klopp. However, subtle hints suggest the Dutchman is not closing the door on fresh additions—especially with murmurs growing around key positions.

“It’s already a big summer because we extended Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] and for large parts of the season, I don’t think everyone expected that,” Slot told Sky Sports following a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

“For us to keep them is a big thing. I’ve said already that I am happy with the squad we have. We will see what the summer brings, but sometimes it can be good to bring fresh energy.”

Slot’s remarks offer an insight into a delicate balancing act: retain the core leadership group while rejuvenating areas that have shown signs of wear—namely, at left-back and centre-forward.

Left-Back Spot Under Scrutiny

Andy Robertson’s form has dipped notably in recent months, and while his pedigree and experience remain invaluable, the growing sense is that Liverpool are weighing their options at left-back.

Enter Milos Kerkez.

The Bournemouth defender has impressed in his debut Premier League season, and Liverpool’s interest is neither new nor subtle. What once appeared to be speculative chatter is beginning to crystallise into something far more substantial.

Photo: IMAGO

Ian Wright Adds Fuel to Transfer Speculation

Kerkez’s name surfaced again over the weekend in Premier League Productions coverage, where Ian Wright and Michael Owen discussed potential summer moves involving Bournemouth’s standout talents.

“That’s a talented team,” said Owen. “They’ve got some really talented players in the squad. As I just referred to before, they might just have a really difficult summer trying to shield a lot of their players away from the pack, really.”

“Liverpool might come in for Milos Kerkez,” he added, highlighting the Reds’ apparent interest.

Wright’s response only heightened anticipation: “Yeah, Dean Huijsen, he’s really impressive. I think Kerkez, that’s probably done, for me. The amount of talk we’ve been doing for so long, that’s probably done, which is a shame (for Bournemouth). He’s a fantastic player.”

Such candid remarks from two former England stars have not gone unnoticed. While Wright did not confirm any deal outright, his phrasing implies significant momentum behind the scenes.

No Release Clause But Likely Departure

Kerkez does not possess a release clause like his Bournemouth teammate Dean Huijsen, but sources suggest the south coast club are resigned to losing the Hungarian international this summer. Talks may not yet be advanced, but the noise is growing louder—and rarely without reason in today’s media landscape.

For Liverpool, the prospect of securing a 20-year-old full-back with proven top-flight experience fits both their tactical and financial model. Whether this leads to formal negotiations remains to be seen, but the signs are increasingly pointing toward Anfield.

Statistical Summary of Kerkez

Milos Kerkez’s radar chart for the last 365 days, based on 2,970 minutes played, paints the picture of a modern, attack-minded full-back with standout strengths in progressive play and final-third contribution—attributes that align perfectly with Liverpool’s tactical DNA.

Offensively, Kerkez ranks exceptionally high for assists (79th percentile), non-penalty expected goals (64th), and overall xG+xAG (63rd). These metrics suggest a full-back who not only supports attacks but actively contributes to goal-scoring opportunities. His shot-creating actions (60th) and xAG (55th) reinforce the view of a player comfortable making the final or penultimate pass—key in a side like Liverpool that thrives on quick transitions and full-back overloads.

In possession, Kerkez excels particularly in progressive carries (85th percentile), showing his ability to move the ball forward with intent. He also performs well in progressive passes received (66th), indicating intelligent positioning and movement in the attacking phase. His progressive passes (60th) are solid, but his lower percentile in pass completion (34th) and passes attempted (22nd) implies a high-risk, high-reward style—valuable in attack, though potentially wasteful in deeper build-up play.

Defensively, the numbers are mixed. His dribbler tackle rate (68th percentile) is impressive, demonstrating a knack for one-on-one defending. However, his tackle and interception total (35th), aerial win rate (47th), and especially clearances (5th) suggest room for improvement in traditional defensive duties. This could be down to tactical setup or role specificity at Bournemouth, where he’s often tasked with pushing higher up.

In sum, Kerkez shows immense promise as an aggressive, forward-thinking full-back. While his defensive game may need refining, his profile fits Liverpool’s needs for dynamism and width, especially if Andy Robertson’s decline continues.