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Gary Lineker has backed Liverpool to sign in-form Premier League defender Milos Kerkez ahead of Manchester United.
Kerkez is enjoying a sensational season for Bournemouth, helping the Cherries climb to eighth in the Premier League, just a handful of points outside the Champions League places.
Despite only arriving in England in 2023, Kerkez has quickly developed into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League, attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Kerkez is viewed as the ideal successor to Andy Robertson at Anfield, while Manchester United have shown interest in the 21-year-old following Luke Shaw’s continued injury issues.
Ex-England striker Lineker is a huge admirer of Kerkez and believes a move to Liverpool ‘makes sense’ for all parties.
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Assessing Bournemouth’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday, in which Kerkez produced a stunning assist, Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast: ‘It was looking a bit bleak and grim for Spurs but at least they salvaged something.
‘They came back, surprisingly so I thought, because I didn’t see that coming. Bournemouth press so well, don’t they?
‘The run and the ball from Kerkez as well! He’s really good. I think they might struggle to keep him at Bournemouth.
‘I saw the links with Liverpool and that makes sense. It makes sense.’
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: ‘Tottenham found it so difficult with that Bournemouth press.
‘How good were Bournemouth, it was ridiculous. They might be the best pressing side in the Premier League right now. They all know their jobs and they’ve got really good players.
‘Kerkez is just outstanding. He’s been linked with Liverpool as well.’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher wanted his former club to sign a new left-back during the January transfer window and named Hungary international Kerkez as a possible option.
‘Left back is definitely an area Liverpool should be looking to strengthen in January,’ the ex-England defender told Sky Sports.
‘Andy Robertson needs help, he’s a Liverpool legend, he’s won the lot, but the amount of games he’s played, playing in a Jurgen Klopp team, constantly just running up and down that wing for five or six years. He needs a little bit of help in that position.
‘Liverpool didn’t do too much business in the summer but that’s an area that they have to rectify in January rather than wait until the summer.’
‘Kerkez has been a revelation at Bournemouth. The technical director who brought him to Bournemouth [Richard Hughes] is now the sporting director at Liverpool.
‘Kerkez looks like a full back and he’s aggressive. He’s been superb since he came into the Premier League and is one to watch in the future whether he stays or moves on.’
Anfield boss Arne Slot played down Liverpool’s links with Kerkez after his side beat Bournemouth last month.
When asked directly if Liverpool are considering a move for Kerkez at the end of the season, Slot replied: ‘I don’t think I have to talk about players that we are interested in, let alone a player from Bournemouth.
‘He’s playing over here, he’s having a great season, as many, many other players are here as well.’
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