Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has delivered a scathing assessment of Milos Kerkez, stating the £40 million defender "looks a bag of nerves" and should be benched following Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Wolves. The loss at Molineux saw Wolves secure only their third Premier League victory this season, with Rodrigo Gomes opening the scoring, Mohamed Salah equalizing late, and Andre clinching the win with a deflected injury-time goal.
Owen's Harsh Critique of Kerkez
Owen, speaking on Premier League Productions, expressed deep concerns about Kerkez's performance and mentality. "I can't warm to Kerkez, I'm afraid," he said. "He looks like he doesn't want the ball, he's an emotional defender, playing like he's in a trance constantly. It's like, 'calm down, man'—you're in possession a lot, just relax." Owen suggested that the pressure of playing for a top club like Liverpool might be overwhelming for the left-back, who joined from Bournemouth last summer.
Broader Squad Issues Highlighted
Beyond Kerkez, Owen pointed to significant weaknesses in Liverpool's squad compared to last season. He noted that Cody Gakpo is "half the player he was last season," while Mohamed Salah is "a tenth of the player he was." The right-back position also faces challenges, with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong frequently unfit, failing to adequately replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Owen emphasized that Liverpool are "much weaker" in four key areas: left-back, right-back, and the attacking roles previously held by Salah and Luis Diaz. He acknowledged that some changes, like Alexander-Arnold and Diaz departing, were unavoidable due to player decisions, but questioned the timing of Andy Robertson's exit, suggesting he should still be playing.
Impact on Liverpool's Season
The defeat leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League, with Chelsea poised to overtake them if they win against Aston Villa. Owen's comments underscore the transitional phase Liverpool is undergoing, with new signings struggling to fill the voids left by key players. He concluded that while Kerkez might improve over time, for now, Robertson should be reinstated to stabilize the defense.
