Liverpool's top target at left-back has just become clear after Kerkez and Davies are ruled out - opinion
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Left-back has quickly become an area in urgent need of attention for Liverpool under Arne Slot.
The Reds have barely had to worry about the position since 2017, with Andy Robertson nailing down the spot and cementing himself as a real legend of the club.
But it has become apparant this season that Robertson is on the decline. The 30-year-old is starting to look like a real weak point in the Liverpool squad.
While Robertson will likely remain first choice under Slot until the end of the season, it’s clear that Liverpool need a change in left-back this summer.
Thankfully, there are options out there for the Reds. However, it’s also true that they are slowly beginning to dwindle.
Liverpool have downplayed a move for Milos Kerkez and with another reported target, Alphonso Davies, on the verge of a new contract at Bayern Munich, it’s becoming clear who the Reds are pinpointing as their number one option.
Liverpool set to go all-in for Rayan Ait Nouri?
Young, fast and Premier League proven, plenty of supporters think Kerkez is the perfect Liverpool signing this January.
Despite that, the Reds have distanced themselves from a move for the Bournemouth man.
Fans disappointed by that decision could at least console themselves with the possibility that a move for Davies was being planned instead. Out of contract in six months, the Canadian would have been a real opportunistic signing for Liverpool.
Again, though, that now looks to be off the table. Davies is closing in on a new deal at Bayern, taking a move to Anfield completely off the table.
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So, with those two clear options no longer plausible, it looks fairly obvious that Liverpool are instead planning to go all-in on Wolves left-back Rayan Ait Nouri.
Ait Nouri has been very good in a struggling Wolves team this season. Regardless of whether they go down, the 23-year-old should be available. And with Liverpool continuously linked with Ait Nouri, it feels like the most likely cause of action.
Ait Nouri ready for Liverpool switch
Although Kerkez and Davies would certainly be accomplished signings for Liverpool, Ait Nouri arguably has more positive aspects than both of them.
Davies is a top tier player, there’s no escaping that. But the 24-year-old has never played in the Premier League. It’s also likely that Davies’ wage demands would be massive, which would rightly deter Liverpool.
| Alphonso Davies | Milos Kerkez | Rayan Ait Nouri | Andy Robertson | |
| Apperances | 13 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Minutes | 1,087 | 1,731 | 1,639 | 1,387 |
| Goals | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Assists | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Chances Created | 21 | 22 | 17 | 24 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91.5% | 82.0% | 86.4% | 89.4% |
| Dribble Success | 51.1% | 52.9% | 62.0% | 33.3% |
| Tackles Won | 60.0% | 55.6% | 60.9% | 64% |
| Duels Won | 57.7% | 51.1% | 54.9% | 51.5% |
In terms of Kerkez, he does have that experience in England, and for a good side no less. But the Hungarian is still only 21 and can not be considered a sure thing.
As for Ait Nouri, he is currently in his fifth season with Wolves and has played almost 150 games in English football.
At 23 Ait Nouri is still very young but is ready for the next step and – unlike someone such as Davies – still has new levels to reach. Factor in that he’s out of contract in 2026 and you can really see the appeal.
