Liverpool’s summer rebuild is beginning to take shape. Despite the Reds sitting 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, there is a growing sense that several additions are needed ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Fans have their own opinions on which positions are priorities, and those opinions can differ greatly. But there’s one thing most supporters agree on: A new left-back is needed.
Andy Robertson, the club’s starter in that role for the guts of a decade, has shown signs that he is slowing down, while Kostas Tsimikas has always felt like one of the squad’s weaker players. Several potential additions at left-back have been mooted throughout the campaign.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s name has sparked interest and discussion online over the last 48 hours. A report in the Telegraph claimed that Wolverhampton Wanderers want to tie the $67 million-rated defender down by offering him a new contract that would ward off Liverpool’s interest.
Milos Kerkez and Antonee Robinson have also been suggested as possible players of interest and each offers unique skills and qualities. Ait-Nouri has the most goals and highest expected goals this season, outscoring the Bournemouth and Fulham left-backs quite significantly in the latter.
Robinson has provided more assists and registers higher passing numbers than his competitors, while Kerkez’s skills primarily lie in dribbling and his explosive runs. It’s the Hungarian who is believed to be top of Liverpool’s list, despite his stats in general this season falling short of Ait-Nouri and Robinson.
That he’s 20 and already has a relationship with sporting director Richard Hughes weighs heavily in his favour. Of the trio, Kerkez has perhaps the most room for growth and may be seen as a longer-term option.
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He could also be more willing to initially share responsibilities with Robertson, which has been suggested in recent reports. The Scotland captain’s demise has been blown a tad out of proportion in some quarters; he has started 27 games in a title-winning campaign and his form has been more consistent since the turn of the year.
But having another left-back available to share the load and afford Robertson breaks when required seems like a wise course of action. Recruiting the more offensive and dynamic Kerkez to play in games when Liverpool needs greater attacking penetration, and saving Robertson for the more high-profile matches against trickier opponents, is a sensible approach. It would be tailor-made for Kerkez, allowing him a year to adapt at Anfield without the pressure of immediately stepping up to the plate.
Ait-Nouri is less suited to that approach. He primarily plays left-wing back, while Slot operates with a back four. This is also his sixth season as a Premier League regular – fulfilling a rotation role would feel like a backward step, even if he was at an elite club like Liverpool.
(Image: Getty Images)
There’s also the pressing question about why no top sides have taken a gamble on Ait-Nouri in recent years.
As for Robinson, he is 26 and has three years remaining on his contract. Talented as he undoubtedly is, the USA international may seem less appealing to Hughes and Liverpool’s decision-makers.
It may all boil down to what Slot wants from his full-backs, especially in a summer when he could be targeting additions on both the right and left of a back four. It’s one of the questions underpinning Liverpool’s summer, Slot’s repurposed tactical approach and, possibly, the side’s success next season.
Kerkez seems like the obvious answer. Whether he joins the champions is another matter, though.
