Liverpool have reportedly decided to table their first bid for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez next week, with boss Arne Slot looking to replace Andrew Robertson.
The Reds enjoyed a historic domestic season, winning the 2024-25 Premier League title and equalling Manchester United's record of 20 top-flight crowns.
Head coach Arne Slot surpassed all expectations, but he will be keen to address the weaknesses in his squad after taking a year to assess the quality at his disposal.
While players such as Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah have excelled under the Dutchman, others such as left-back Robertson have struggled, with the Scotsman's long-term future coming into question.
The champions have been strongly linked with Bournemouth defender Kerkez as a possible successor, and talkSPORT claims that the Reds will make their first offer for the £45m-rated full-back.
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Why Kerkez is the ideal Robertson successor
Liverpool have rarely looked to target players already at the peak of their powers and have instead signed stars ready to take the next step in their development.
Kerkez is only 21 years old, and the fact he now has two seasons of Premier League football under his belt should mean he does not have to acclimatise to playing for the Reds as much as someone with no experience of English football.
The Bournemouth defender's biggest asset is his relentless energy, with his powerful ball carrying and intense running style having helped the Cherries advance into the final third.
Robertson possessed a similar skillset at his peak, but now that he is 31 and has shown signs of decline, replacing him with a stylistically comparable player 10 years his junior may prove to be a shrewd move.
It should also be noted that Arne Slot has frequently praised the use of full-backs by Paris Saint-Germain, who task Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi with charging up the left and right flank respectively.
Liverpool have already signed Jeremie Frimpong - a player whose best attribute is his intensity with and without the ball - and it could be argued that Slot has looked to PSG for inspiration.
Lewis Nolan
