3 days ago
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Ally McCoist has warned Milos Kerkez that Andy Robertson will not give up Liverpool's left-back spot without a fight.
Kerkez, 21, was signed by the Reds this summer following two impressive Premier League seasons at Bournemouth. He was selected ahead of Robertson, Liverpool's long-term left-back, for the Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Liverpool lost on penalties at Wembley, missing out on the first trophy of the season. Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring early on for the Reds before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalized for Palace. Jeremie Frimpong then restored Liverpool's lead in the 21st minute, but Ismaila Sarr equalized late on for Palace to send the game to penalties.
Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott all missed in the shootout to gift Palace its first ever Community Shield.
Kerkez impressed on his competitive debut and will be confident of keeping his place in Arne Slot's starting XI ahead of Liverpool's opening Premier League game of the season on Friday, which, funnily enough, is against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Yet former Scotland striker McCoist believes Kerkez faces a battle thanks to Robertson, who is 10 years his senior.
"I think the one person who will have something to say about Milos Kerkez replacing Andy Robertson is Robertson," McCoist told TNT Sports while commentating on Sunday's game. "He will not give up that jersey without a fight."
Robertson has made nearly 350 appearances for Liverpool during his eight-year spell on Merseyside, having arrived from Hull in 2017.
He's helped Liverpool win two Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup, the Champions League, the European Super Cup, the Community Shield, and the Club World Cup.
Kerkez played 84 minutes on Sunday before being replaced by Robertson.
Glenn Murray, the former Palace striker, was impressed with Kerkez's Liverpool debut.
"I think Kerkez was one of the most overlapping and underlapping full-backs in the Premier League last season, so he slots into Liverpool perfectly," he said while commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I am intrigued by the link-up with Cody Gakpo will have with him. He will get acres of space."
Reacting to the game before the penalty shootout, Murray added: "I think it was an even game and thoroughly entertaining. Liverpool set off with more energy and could have had it wrapped up early, but Palace came back strongly."
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