Gary Neville has singled out Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez for stinging criticism after what he described as a “naive” performance in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool’s winless run continued at the weekend as they were beaten late on by Enzo Maresca side, surrendering their place at the top of the Premier League table.
It was a bruising afternoon for Arne Slot’s men, with several players below their usual standards but for Neville, one name stood out: Milos Kerkez
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United and England right-back delivered a blunt assessment of the 21-year-old left-back, accusing him of looking out of his depth against Premier League opposition.
“The boy Kerkez, to be honest with you, at this point in time, he looks like a youth-team player,” Neville said.
“I know he’s a good player, but he looks like he’s playing for the youth team, or the under-21s. He looks so naive, he looks like a baby out there. He’s losing 50-50s with [Pedro] Neto!”
Kerkez endured a difficult afternoon in West London, struggling defensively as Chelsea repeatedly targeted Liverpool’s left flank. Neville’s remarks were particularly scathing because he pointed out that the Hungary international is not a newcomer to the Premier League.
Kerkez spent the past two seasons as a regular starter for Bournemouth, making more than 60 appearances and playing a key role in their impressive top-half finish last season. Neville argued that this background means there’s little excuse for his current struggles at Liverpool.
“He’s had Premier League experience, it’s not like he’s come in from another country,” Neville continued.
“He’s got a lot of games under his belt, he’s played at these grounds before, so I expected him to slot in.”
Neville also contrasted Kerkez’s situation with other defenders who might have more difficult roles in the team due to their positioning. Playing on the left side of a defence that includes several world-class players, Neville believes the former Bournemouth man should be benefiting from the support around him.
“And he’s got players who work hard on that side,” Neville added. “It’s not like he’s playing on the right with [Mohamed] Salah in front of him, which is always a bit more difficult because you always get a little bit more exposed.
“But I have to say from the first 10 minutes of that game against Bournemouth on the first game of the season, he’s struggled.”
Kerkez arrived at Anfield during the summer transfer window as part of Arne Slot’s plans to refresh the squad and add youthful energy to the defence. At 21, he is seen as a long-term option at left-back, with the potential to develop into a key figure for club and country.
However, his start to life on Merseyside has been mixed. While he has shown flashes of attacking promise going forward, his defensive positioning and physicality have been called into question in several games this season including the opening-day win over his former club Bournemouth, which Neville referenced.
Kerkez featured in all 38 Premier League fixtures for Bournemouth last term, establishing himself as one of the most promising young full-backs in the division. But since joining Liverpool, his performances have lacked the same confidence and consistency that characterised his time on the south coast.
The Chelsea defeat was the latest reminder of his ongoing adaptation period. He was frequently isolated against Pedro Neto, struggled in one-on-one duels, and at times appeared hesitant in his decision-making when tracking runners.
Despite his early-season difficulties, Kerkez remains highly rated at Anfield, and the upcoming international break provides a valuable opportunity for him to regroup and rediscover his form.
The left-back has been named in Hungary’s squad for their fixtures against Armenia and Portugal. A change of environment, away from the immediate pressure of the Premier League title race, could help him rebuild confidence ahead of Liverpool’s crucial run of fixtures later this month.
