Milos Kerkez: The Relentless Left-Back on the Rise and the Liverpool Links

Milos Kerkez has no airs or pretences. The 21-year-old Bournemouth left-back, who has taken the Premier League by storm, is as fierce off the pitch as he is on it. Sitting inside the Vitality Stadium, he talks with the same intensity that he displays every matchday.

"No two faces," he says firmly. "How I am on the pitch is how I am outside of it. Everywhere I am the same. I am not pretending to be something. You always remember where you’ve been, where you are now, and you don’t change. You just go with it and stay humble. That is what my dad says."

After arriving from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023 for £15.5 million, Kerkez has blossomed into one of Europe’s most sought-after young defenders. With interest from clubs like Liverpool, his future is a hot topic ahead of the summer transfer window.

A Key Figure in Bournemouth’s European Push

Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have gone from strength to strength. Last season saw them achieve their highest-ever Premier League points tally (48), and they are on track to surpass that in the current campaign. With just nine league games to go, they sit tantalisingly close to European qualification, just three points behind fifth-placed Manchester City.

For Kerkez, this season has been about stepping up. In 32 appearances, he has scored twice and assisted five times, proving himself as an all-action left-back. He has played every one of Bournemouth’s 29 league games, showcasing his stamina and consistency.

"Last season helped me to experience the league and how it is, the speed and physicality of it," he reflects. "The manager has trust in you and gives you time to adapt because he knows you have the quality. He knows it is just a matter of time until you pop out and start to do your stuff more."

The results are there for all to see. In November, he set up both goals in Bournemouth’s stunning 2-1 win over Manchester City. Now, with an FA Cup semi-final spot at Wembley on the line, Kerkez would have relished the chance to face City again in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, a yellow card against Wolves in the previous round means he will be watching from the stands.