2 weeks ago
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Milos Kerkez must return to fundamentals at Liverpool, according to a former Red who was well-versed in attacking from the full-back position.
Markus Babbel was a crucial component of the Liverpool squad that claimed three cup trophies during the 2000-01 campaign, with the German international featuring 60 times across all competitions while netting six goals. Among those efforts were a strike in a Merseyside derby and a header that broke the deadlock in the UEFA Cup final triumph against Alaves, but Babbel understands that defensive duties remain a full-back's primary responsibility.
Kerkez has faced scrutiny for appearing overly focused on the offensive aspects of his game following his summer switch to the Reds from Bournemouth.
Furthermore, the defender's tendency to commit himself and hit the deck has left many supporters exasperated. Babbel believes the player will eventually succeed, though only if he concentrates on the fundamentals.
"I think Milos Kerkez needs time to get used to the standards of Liverpool," Babbel told Escapist Magazine.
"He's a young player who isn't used to playing for a big club – and Liverpool are a massive club! The pressure and expectation from the fans and the staff is completely different to that at Bournemouth.
"Kerkez is a talented player, but defensively and tactically at the moment he is definitely struggling. He needs to learn to defend better and adopt a mindset of 'nobody can beat you' on the wing.
"I look at some of the challenges and tackles he makes, and I think he can improve a lot in that area."
Babbel believes that if Kerkez strengthens his defensive game, it could benefit a Liverpool team that has experienced four losses across all competitions for the first time since November 2014.
"If you look at Liverpool at the moment, they are really struggling at the back and conceding too many goals," he commented.
"The chances are all coming from wide areas on the left and right wing – they're not coming from central areas in midfield. They need to learn to defend better in these wide areas for sure."
Gary Neville is among those who have criticized Kerkez. "I think the individual performances of Liverpool's defenders were really poor," Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast after Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
"The left-back (Kerkez) hasn’t settled in. He plays like a 10-year-old; he is all over the place."
Jamie Redknapp added on Sky Sports: "Kerkez is very nervous. He's like a nervous wreck out there. I feel for him. It's almost a bit too much for him."
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