Gary Neville’s Scathing Verdict After Anfield Shock
Liverpool’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield has continued to stir fierce debate — and this time, Gary Neville has delivered one of the harshest critiques yet, targeting young left-back Milos Kerkez.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, Neville didn’t hold back, accusing the Hungarian defender of looking “completely lost and unprepared for a match of this magnitude.”
“Everyone’s talking about Salah and Isak, but no one’s mentioning his name,” Neville said.
“When your wide player fails to perform, you’re asking for trouble. That flank becomes the gateway to victory or defeat. He played like a kid — all over the place. It was frustrating to watch.”
Neville’s comments came after a chaotic defensive display from Liverpool that allowed United to exploit the wings repeatedly — a weakness that ultimately decided the contest.
Kerkez Crumbles Under Pressure
Kerkez, who arrived at Anfield this summer amid high expectations, endured a night to forget.
The 20-year-old looked nervous on the ball, struggled to track runners, and often left gaps for Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes to exploit.
From the touchline, manager Arne Slot could be seen barking instructions, urging calm — but the young full-back never quite settled.
“His positioning was all wrong,” Neville added.
“He doesn’t read the game properly yet. At a club like Liverpool, you can’t afford those mistakes, especially against Manchester United. It cost them badly.”
Neville Urges Slot to Rethink His Setup
The former Manchester United captain went further, suggesting that Slot must reassess Liverpool’s defensive structure — particularly on the left-hand side.
“Liverpool’s back line looks unbalanced,” Neville said.
“There’s too much space behind Kerkez, and he seems unsure whether to push forward or hold position. These are basic decisions, and right now he’s getting them wrong.”
Neville warned that if the issue isn’t fixed quickly, it could cost Liverpool valuable points in the title race.
“You can’t win championships when your defenders play like that,” he concluded. “Kerkez has promise, but this is the Premier League — there’s no room for on-the-job learning.”
Fans React: “He Needs to Be Benched!”
Supporters echoed Neville’s frustration online, with many calling for Kerkez to be dropped until he improves.
One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Kerkez looks like he’s still learning the basics. Slot can’t keep ignoring this. Every time he plays, we look exposed.”
Another added:
“Neville’s right. Kerkez has pace and energy, but no composure. You can’t have that kind of chaos in big games.”
A third summed up the mood:
“Either he sorts it out or sits on the bench. Simple as that.”
The reaction highlighted the growing tension between fans’ desire for results and Slot’s long-term development approach.
Slot Defends His Young Defender
Despite mounting criticism, Arne Slot stood by Kerkez after the match, emphasizing his potential and need for patience.
“He’s young and still adapting,” Slot said. “He made some mistakes, but that’s part of the learning process. We believe in him — he’ll get better with experience.”
However, not everyone agreed with Slot’s patience.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy argued that results must come first.
“It’s admirable to develop young players,” Murphy said, “but when you’re losing big games, there’s no room for experiments. Points matter more than potential.”
Defensive Woes Deepen
Liverpool’s defensive instability has been a recurring issue this season.
The Reds have conceded first in six of their last eight league games — often through lapses in concentration or individual errors.
With Andrew Robertson and Joe Gomez both struggling with injuries, Kerkez was brought in as a long-term solution, but his adaptation has been rocky.
Neville’s comments underline a growing concern: Liverpool can no longer afford to treat these mistakes as “learning moments.”
In a season where every point counts, they’re proving costly.
Neville’s Final Judgment: “He’s Not Ready Yet”
Closing his analysis, Neville delivered a blunt assessment.
“Kerkez has talent, no doubt — but he’s not ready. He needs time, guidance, and consistency. Liverpool can’t afford to keep dropping points while he learns. Slot has to decide: develop him now, or protect results.”
Neville’s words echoed the sentiment of many pundits and fans — that Liverpool’s defensive frailty could derail their campaign unless decisive changes are made soon.
Conclusion: A Test of Faith for Slot and Kerkez
As Liverpool prepare for their next fixture, attention will focus on whether Arne Slot continues to back Kerkez or opts for a more experienced option to stabilize the defense.
For the young Hungarian, the message is unmistakable: improvement must come quickly — or he risks losing his place.
As one fan put it bluntly online:
“We love passion, but we need composure. This isn’t academy football — it’s Anfield.”
