One Arne Slot line-up decision wasn’t what Michael Owen expected ahead of Liverpool vs Everton

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Andrew Robertson may have played his way into the Liverpool starting lineup against Everton after scoring against Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool added another win to the tally on Wednesday night, but again needed a late goal to secure the victory.

The Reds raced into a 2-0 lead through Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah, only for Marcos Llorente’s brace to haul Atletico level.

Virgil van Dijk headed home the winner to kick off Liverpool’s Champions League campaign in style, though the Reds continue to look susceptible defensively.

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Michael Owen shares thoughts on Andrew Robertson v Milos Kerkez in Liverpool starting XI

Liverpool brought in Milos Kerkez over the summer, securing the Hungarian in a swoop on Bournemouth.

Kerkez started the season as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back, but he hasn’t quite hit the heights of his Cherries days.

Kerkez was slammed as ‘weak’ against Newcastle United and was substituted in the first half against Burnley on Sunday.

Hungary fans even criticised Kerkez during the international break, so this has been a tough period.

Robertson was brought into the starting XI in Kerkez’s place against Atletico, and opened the scoring – admittedly, a little fortuitously.

Kerkez came on in the second half, but Slot now faces a big decision on whether to bring him back in or stick with Robertson against Everton.

Pundit Michael Owen admitted on TNT Sports (17/09, 19:55) that he thinks Kerkez has struggled since joining Liverpool.

Owen added that he expected Slot to select Kerkez in the starting line-up against Atletico, in order to then start Robertson against Everton.

Owen even feels that some people have tried to write Robertson off at this stage in his career, but believes the Scot still has so much to offer at Anfield.

“Kerkez is probably one of the players that has struggled since he signed, let’s say,” said Owen.

“I thought that he might play, Kerkez, tonight, and then Robertson would come back for the Merseyside derby at the weekend.

“He’s brought him in tonight, and Andy Robertson won’t let anyone down. I think a lot of people have tried to pension him off, which is a little bit unfair – he’s still reasonably young in football terms, he looks after himself and he still gets up and down that wing,” he added.

Don’t write Milos Kerkez off despite slow Liverpool start

Kerkez is still in the early stages of his Liverpool career, and some teething problems are to be expected.

There is a huge difference between catching the eye for Bournemouth and turning in consistent displays at the very highest level for Liverpool.

There is now more scrutiny on Kerkez, and any mistake he makes in a Liverpool shirt will be magnified more than at Bournemouth.

It’s also easy to forget that Kerkez is still just 21, and while he dazzled for Bournemouth, he is still learning his trade in the Premier League.

Having an experienced left-back like Robertson should be a useful resource for Kerkez, and a slightly slow start to his Liverpool career should not lead anybody to believe that the Reds have wasted their money.