One Liverpool player felt the wrath of both Andoni Iraola and Virgil van Dijk during the 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Sunday.
Milos Kerkez is now the undisputed first choice at left-back for the Reds after Andy Robertson’s summer exit for Tottenham Hotspur, but the Hungarian endured a difficult afternoon at St James’ Park.
He was outpaced by Anthony Elanga for the Magpies’ opening goal in the first five minutes and struggled to make much of an impact going forward, with his performance criticised by Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle.
Kerkez berated by both Iraola and Van Dijk
In an article for the Liverpool Echo on Monday, that same journalist noted two separate instances involving the 22-year-old which earned him an earful from his head coach and his captain.
Doyle observed how Iraola ‘struggled to keep his emotions in check’ as Kerkez ‘took an eternity’ to close down Elanga before conceding a corner kick, with the Basque left remonstrating on the touchline as he was ‘not a happy camper – at all’.
Another incident saw the Reds’ number 6 rebuked by Van Dijk for being too slow to engage his opponent during a Magpies breakway along the full-back’s side, with the Dutchman eventually sprinting over to intervene and snuff out the danger.
Not the best day at the office for Kerkez
It’s commonplace for players and coaches to trade angry words with one another in the white heat of battle at Premier League level, but those two moments were indicative of a tough day at the office for Kerkez.
There were some worrying defensive lapses from the Hungarian (as outlined above), and whenever he did get forward, he was culpable of wasting a couple of promising opportunities for the Reds.
In fairness to the 22-year-old, he posted some positive underlying numbers (as seen below, via Sofascore), but overall he’ll know he’s capable of performing much better for Liverpool.
| Duels won | 6 |
| Defensive contributions | 7 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Key passes | 1 |
Iraola will be looking to Kerkez to show a discernible improvement when Nottingham Forest come to Anfield next Saturday, with our number 6 going up against Ola Aina in Oliver Glasner’s wing-back system.
It wasn’t the most convincing of starts to the season for the Hungary left-back, but the next game offers an opportunity to put yesterday behind him and show that he can be a vital presence in our starting XI throughout the campaign.
He’s been crap from day one, doesn’t offer anything going forward, final ball is poor and then we come to what he is defensively.
Poor positioning, too lightweight, especially from set pieces. 40 million on a third rate full back.
The first goal, go and watch it again . Frimpong is even worse.
Liverpool should have had a clean break and a reset after last season. Sacking slot didn’t achieve anything.
Richard Hughes still sporting director and his links to Bournemouth and Iraola has meant that last season’s mistakes weren’t moved on.
Frimpong, Kirkez, Wirtz and Isak.
Wide open all through pre season and yesterday is a reminder that there’s worse to come.
Liverpool needed Alonso, without a sporting director.
We ended up with a manager from Bournemouth who’s never done anything with Richard Hughes running the show.
It’s a shitshow. From charlatan owners FSG
You talk a lot of rubbish. Go support Chelski. You’re not a proper Liverpool fan.
Its that time of the month again for him.
Absolute bull.
FSG have been the best owners LFC have ever had. They have turned a £300m organisation into a £5b super organisation.
Who are responsible for the AXA training ground ?
Who are responsible for the ground extensions ?
Who brought Klopp to the Anfield ?
I suggest you give you head a wobble and think were LFC would be WITHOUT FSG.
Its that time of the month again?
Virgil was shocking. He was partly at fault for both goals. His pace has gone. He is one of my all time favourite players but Father Time has caught up with him.
Totally agree, he shadowed the Newcastle player all the way back to Liverpools box for their second goal, never attempted to push him wide or attempt a tackle. Not good enough too slow now.
It’s easier for people to blame others rather than him.
Tell Vigil to stop blaming his slower then kekez the mistake came from the poor pass in on the 18th yard box of Newcastle poor finishing by Liverpool forwards.Liverpool need definitely a front player Gapo pathetic Gravenbach poor performance.
True.. Virgil should be sell and leave Liverpool
Totally agree!!
Kerkez is a huge problem. He’s arrogant, petulant and always looking to blame others. He’s not athletic, he’s rubbish in a duel, useless in the air and incompetent at taking throw ins. He will cost Liverpool 20 goals this season if he is not shipped out.
He’s already cost us1 goal. Embarrassing!! 😡🤬😡🤬
I dislike the player . very incompetent.the coach should find his replacement or I will stop watching Liverpool football.
Player of the year at cherries b4 we signed him
We recently had 2 or the worlds best fullbacks and won the league and champions league. We currently have the worst fullbacks I can ever remember in over 40 years. We will not compete until the problem is solved.
Let’s pair jacquet & araujo at center back defense next match against Nottingham Forest.. and let’s see how it’s going on without Virgil Van Dijk
Vvd can’t talk, he was culpable for both goals.