Will Kerkez need time like Robertson?

BBC News

9 hours ago

How have we managed without Premier League football?Not just for the passion, the thrills and excitement attached to the competition, but also for the endless opportunities it gives us all to analyse and critique the various matches we all watch.Liverpool's rollercoaster victory over Bournemouth has predictably been pored over with a fine tooth comb and, despite a winning start to their campaign, some notable and respected judges seem to have reacted in an overly negative fashion.Of course it is worrying to see the champions fritter away such a healthy advantage in a manner that is so defensively damaging, but it is also worth bearing in mind that several players were making league debuts and Ryan Gravenberch was absent.Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are one of the finest full-back pairings in Liverpool history, and without doubt their most potent. With Alexander-Arnold gone, their days as a double act are over. Robertson, though, still has an awful lot of football left in him this season in a red shirt - and maybe even beyond that.Nevertheless, the amount of money invested in Milos Kerkez underlines the fact the Hungarian is the future in that position under Arne Slot. For those people who were perhaps justifiably underwhelmed by his display against Bournemouth, it is worth remembering Robertson was banished from the first-team squad for a lengthy period after making his debut under Jurgen Klopp.Like Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong was also substituted on the hour mark on Friday. The Netherlands international is perhaps better suited to playing as a wing-back or a winger than as a full-back in a flat back four.He is a fabulous athlete who is outrageously quick - clocking 33.4mph during Friday's match at Anfield.Conor Bradley is a much more orthodox right-back and brings a different skillset to the position. It is going to take time for Frimpong to adjust to his new surroundings and to build on-field relationships with his Liverpool team-mates.His willingness to engage in one-to-one combat with his opposing winger has left him in a few awkward situations, but his pedigree indicates he has the requirements to be a success at Anfield. The fact he could cover for Mohamed Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations could prove to be another massive plus.Slot revealed a hamstring issue was the reason behind his substitution against Bournemouth so it remains to be seen who will be operating at right-back for their next game at Newcastle United.That is a Monday night match that has the potential to hit the footballing heights and we can only begin to imagine the sort conversations taking place in the directors' lounge before the game.Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio MerseysideExplore Liverpool content on BBC Sounds