Liverpool have begun their title defense in dreamlike fashion. Four games, four wins, twelve points — the champions look every bit as hungry as they did last season. The question before kickoff in August was whether Arne Slot’s men could carry the weight of expectation without losing their edge. A month later, the answer is clear: they can.
Their latest victory, a hard-fought 1-0 at Burnley, wasn’t about flair or fireworks. It was about resilience. The kind of win that marks out champions — grinding through the difficult moments, managing the fine margins, and finding a way to keep the streak alive. Yet beneath the celebration, the night carried a subplot that could shape Liverpool’s season: a selection gamble, a substitution full of meaning, and a lesson learned the hard way.
When the team sheets dropped, much of the focus fell on the backline. Slot handed a start to summer signing Milos Kerkez, the promising Hungarian left-back brought in as the heir apparent to Andy Robertson. The plan seemed clear: blood the youngster, test his mettle, and perhaps begin a gentle transition of power.
Kerkez started with intent, but football often pivots on small moments. His came in the form of a needless yellow card — not for a crunching challenge, but for simulation. A poor decision that shifted the mood, gave Burnley encouragement, and put his manager on edge. With the hosts threatening on the counter and Kerkez one misstep from disaster, Slot made his choice. Before halftime, Robertson’s number was up, and the veteran was back on the pitch.
It was more than a tactical switch. It was a statement. For Robertson, a reminder that his place is not yet up for grabs. For Kerkez, a warning that raw talent alone isn’t enough — trust must be earned, and recklessness carries consequences.
After the final whistle, Liverpool’s clean sheet and three points were rightly celebrated, but in the background, questions began swirling. Former United and Spurs scout Mick Brown offered a blunt assessment: Kerkez may find it difficult to reclaim his spot. At a club like Liverpool, regaining a manager’s confidence is no small task, and for the 20-year-old, the path back into the XI may be longer than he expected.
Liverpool’s perfect start rolls on, but for Kerkez, the Burnley match could prove to be a pivotal chapter in his Anfield story — one that reminds every young player that the road to becoming a trusted starter at a title-winning club is as unforgiving as it is demanding.
