Liverpool’s £40 million summer recruit, Milos Kerkez, is once again under scrutiny in his home country following another underwhelming display for Hungary in their 2–2 draw against Portugal.
According to reports from Nemzeti Sport, the 21-year-old left-back received a joint-lowest rating of 5/10, with critics describing his performance as “uncertain” and “lacking cohesion” despite showing more energy after the interval.
> “He offered little going forward. When he pushed up the flank and received possession, he often opted to play it backwards,” the outlet wrote, noting that only 73% of his passes found their mark before halftime.
Kerkez was also involved in key defensive errors that led to both Portuguese goals. The report claimed he “stepped too deep” before the first and “lost focus” before the second, leaving space that Portugal punished.
It marks yet another disappointing review for the Hungarian full-back, who also posted the lowest fan rating during the last international break, averaging just 4.51/10 from more than 7,000 supporters’ votes.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai continued to impress on the international stage. The Hungarian captain earned a 7/10 rating after assisting Attila Szalai’s opener and netting a dramatic equaliser late in the match.
> “He ran tirelessly, showed leadership, and capped it off with a goal that saved a point,” the paper added, highlighting Szoboszlai’s 50 touches and 90% pass accuracy.
The stark contrast between Hungary’s two Liverpool players raises questions about Kerkez’s adaptation to life under Arne Slot at Anfield. His early-season struggles have drawn comparisons to Gary Neville’s recent criticism, where the former Manchester United defender remarked that Kerkez “looked like a youth player” still adjusting to the Premier League’s intensity.
With fellow new arrivals Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alexander Isak also finding their feet, the pressure is now on Kerkez to settle quickly and prove he can match the tempo and tactical discipline expected in Liverpool’s evolving system.
As international duty concludes, all eyes will be on how the young left-back responds when the Premier League resumes — and whether he can turn those harsh headlines into motivation.
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