Liverpool Get Boost in Their Pursuit of Milos Kerkez as Arne Slot Looks to Make Second Full-back Addition After Jeremie Frimpong

Bournemouth are reportedly considering Quentin Merlin as a potential replacement for Milos Kerkez, with Liverpool showing interest in the left-back.

The Reds announced their first summer signing on Friday, bringing in Jeremie Frimpong, who is viewed as a possible long-term successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Frimpong becomes Arne Slot’s second acquisition since taking charge at Anfield, and the manager is expected to oversee a busy summer window, having only added backup winger Federico Chiesa in his previous two transfer windows.

Liverpool are also believed to be targeting a new left-back to eventually succeed Andrew Robertson, with Bournemouth’s Kerkez said to be a key target.

According to TEAMtalk, the Cherries have set their sights on Marseille full-back Merlin, hinting at their willingness to part ways with Kerkez and that’s a major boost for the Reds.

A New Era of full-Backs

Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have been key figures in the team since the 2017–18 campaign, but with Robertson’s influence waning and Alexander-Arnold now gone, Slot has been left to seek fresh options in defence.

Kerkez thrives when given the freedom to surge down the left flank, pushing forward at pace and driving the ball into the attacking third.

Frimpong offers a similar attacking threat but operates differently from Alexander-Arnold. While the latter was known for his expansive passing, Frimpong is more direct, preferring to advance the ball through his dribbling.

Slot has often spoken highly of Paris Saint-Germain’s full-backs, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, suggesting he may be aiming to replicate their dynamic.

Mendes and Hakimi’s explosive pace and ability to beat defenders make them key assets, as shown in their performances against Arsenal in the Champions League.

With Alexander-Arnold no longer in the side, Liverpool will need to find new ways to progress into the final third, and the attacking qualities of Kerkez and Frimpong could prove crucial in offsetting the creative void.

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