Liverpool extended their flawless start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 derby win against Everton, but Alan Shearer believes not every member of our squad has hit the right level yet.
The former Newcastle United striker was speaking on NBC Sports after the game and highlighted concerns about new signing Milos Kerkez, who arrived from Bournemouth for £40 million this summer.
Shearer questions Milos Kerkez performances for Liverpool
Shearer was clear in his analysis of the Hungarian full-back, insisting he hasn’t looked like the same player who impressed on the South Coast last season.
“Well, at the minute we’re not seeing the same player in Kerkez, particularly the left-hand side as we saw with Bournemouth,” said Shearer.
“He was free-flowing. He had the license to go and roam and get forward.
“Here, to me it seems as if he’s caught in two minds whether he’s going to go, whether he’s going to stay and help protect that with Van Dijk and Konate.”
Kerkez was taken off early in the Burnley match last week, but the 21-year-old bounced back with a more solid display against Everton, where goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave us the edge.
With plenty of talent on the bench also waiting to make their mark, there is little time for new arrivals to adapt slowly.
Shearer also comments on Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak
The ex-England captain also weighed in on our attacking options, with both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak vying for the central role.
“It’s not a bad option, is it?” said Shearer. “If I was Ekitike, there’s no way I’d be thinking I deserve to be left out this side with the form that I’m in, the goals that I’m scoring.
“He can’t leave him out. He has to play him. So Isak will have to be patient.”
Ekitike has already produced five goal contributions since arriving from Frankfurt, while Isak’s £125m move from Newcastle set a new British transfer record.
With Arne Slot’s side already perfect in the league, the competition between the two strikers is a positive headache and something he has already discussed.
Liverpool will now turn attention to the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton where rotation will be used, before returning to league action against Crystal Palace.
You can watch Shearer’s comments via NBC Sports on YouTube:
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Everyone, including me, can be over critical at times , new players need a bit of time to settle . I don’t expect Liverpool to win every game or play well all the time. What I do expect is to play the right way at home. Being brave on the ball and playing attacking football.
Unfortunately we are starting to see a negative cautious approach by slot. For 60 minutes against Everton Liverpool were all in defense playing counter attacking football. This was never seen once under klopp. The pressing the high line and attacking football has replaced with parking the bus. If we can’t outplay , out pass and take the game to Everton at home you can forget winning the champions league.
Why spend 130 million on isak if you are scared to attack teams like Everton. We had enough cautious football under houllier and benitez don’t want it back again under slot. We beat Everton, but it will be remembered for the fact that Everton outplayed us.
We kept giving the ball away while parking the bus.
Hi Misty, still spreading despair where it’s not needed or wanted ?
Maybe you should write to Arne explaining your ideas for the team and asking him for feedback ?
I’m sure he’ll oblige your transparency and accountability.
Your Royal Blue specs are showing, kidda.
It will be remembered as a win in the derby. Your view of Klopp’s crash-bang-wallop era is with rose-tinted specs. You remember losing six in a row at Anfield with the heavy metal football mantra? A season is nine months long, not nine games. I assume you were happy with Slots tactics that had us top of the league phase in the Champions League last season? Slot is pacing the team perfectly. There is no point shooting your bolt in November when you want to be flying in May. I also assume you’re happy to be 8 points clear of City and 5 clear of Arsenal (neither of whom are exactly pulling up trees with their styles of play).
Yet again Shearer thinks he’s the oracle with regard to the Premier League and its players. Actually it’s far simpler than that when we all know it’s about Liverpools purchase of Isak and nothing more. Shearer tries to provide some dialogue on Liverpool’s performance and make after 5 league games a prediction that Liverpool won’t win the league. I’m a Liverpool fan and wouldn’t make that prediction this early but I’m hopeful.
Hello, Alan. It’s the style of play Slot wants. Under Klopp, MK would have the freedom to cross many balls into the opponent’s box. I am not a big fan of Kerkez, but don’t kill the messenger. Go after the sender.
Excellent running narrative.
Keeping it real.