Liverpool have struck gold on “special” star

Liverpool found a way to win in Paris.

It’s the marker of a champion, absorbing the pressure, withstanding the onslaught, emerging with a precious advantage to take back to Merseyside.

There’s plenty to do, but Liverpool will be confident they can advance to the last eight of the Champions League, potentially setting up a grand-slam finish to the season, 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League and preparing for a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United too.

However, Arne Slot will want more. He’ll want sustained success over so many years at Anfield. To do that, FSG must invest to stay ahead of their rivals.

Well, there’s positive news on that front, with preliminary moves being made to secure an upgrade at left-back, in the form of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez

Talent scout Antonio Mango has hailed Kerkez as “one of the best young left-backs in football,” having only signed the 21-year-old from AZ Alkmaar in July 2023.

He’s ready for a fresh challenge – as per Fabrizio Romano – and Liverpool would only be too happy to oblige. However, this potential Andy Robertson upgrade won’t come cheap, priced at £40m.

However, Manchester United’s January acquisition of Patrick Dorgu does help the Reds’ cause since they will no longer be pursuing the Hungarian star.

Athletic, creative and balanced, he’s already outstripping Liverpool’s Robertson, 30, who is still committed and experienced but on the decline after so many years of toil under Jurgen Klopp.

Kerkez is just one part of a potential long-term rebuild in this new chapter. Efforts are being made for centre-backs too, for example, since Virgil van Dijk is nearly 34, and while a new contract is on the cards, the wider picture is being taken into account.

However, the beauty of FSG’s Liverpool system is its strength across a multitude of areas.

For example, Liverpool have an up-and-coming hero the same age as the young Kerkez, and he’s already worth even more than him.

Together, they could form the future of this great club long after the likes of Van Dijk and Mo Salah

have departed Anfield…

The Liverpool starlet worth more than Kerkez

They might be baseless claims, but Liverpool have been accused by a few dissenters of being a one-man team under Slot’s wing. Looking at you, Salah.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, with Salah out of sorts against PSG and withdrawn for a younger member. That member stepped up to the plate.

Like Kerkez, Harvey Elliott is only 21 but proving himself to be among the most talented players of his position in that age bracket. And that’s across all of Europe.

His goal in Paris this week made it four for the campaign, having only started four matches in all competitions. Slot is well aware of Elliott’s quality, and given Liverpool are looking to sign Kerkez too, it’s safe to say the Dutchman is pushing for the tools to craft a lasting and youthful legacy.

Elliott, somewhat a hybrid playmaker, capable on the right or in Dominik Szoboszlai‘s midfield role, hasn’t nailed down the starting berth he so covets at Liverpool, but he’s a valued and impactful member of the team who, only 21 (the same age as Kerkez), could become a Merseyside superstar in the years to come.

Though he has things to build on, Elliott is without question one of the most gifted young playmakers in the game. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of midfielders over the past year across goalscoring, assisting and shot-creating metrics per 90.

Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.

Described as a “special talent” by The Athletic’s James Pearce, Elliott’s now scored in three successive Champions League matches. He’ll never have netted a more important strike than the one in Paris.

Remarkably, his potency is invariable despite the bit-part role he’s held in Slot’s system this season, somewhat down to stylistic preferences but much is due to the foot injury he picked up with England U21s near the start of the campaign.

Although Elliott ebbs and flows from a match-action standpoint, that’s not to say he’s not regarded as a high-class player. As per Football Transfers, the English ace currently has a market worth of £41m, marginally higher than Kerkez’s value.

Although, in truth, Liverpool would be within their rights to demand much more.

His Midas touch in the Champions League and wealth of experience despite his young age suggest Elliott – just like fellow up-and-comer Kerkez – could be set for a prominent future at the core of Slot’s project.