Alan Shearer and Micah Richards Urge Arne Slot to Bench Milos Kerkez for Critical Galatasaray Clash

Alan Shearer and Micah Richards urge Liverpool's Arne Slot to start Andy Robertson over Milos Kerkez in the Champions League clash against Galatasaray.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 7:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

The Tactical Dilemma at Left-Back

As Liverpool prepares for a high-stakes Champions League round of 16 first leg against Galatasaray, head coach Arne Slot faces a defining selection headache on the left side of his defense. The debate centers on whether to stick with the youth and energy of summer arrival Milos Kerkez or return to the seasoned reliability of Andy Robertson. While Kerkez has enjoyed a consistent run in the Premier League recently, the magnitude of a knockout tie in Turkey has prompted experts to question if the young Hungarian is ready for the unique pressures of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.

Pundits Advocate for Defensive Experience

During a recent episode of The Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were unanimous in their belief that Robertson must start. Richards, providing a fullback's perspective, noted that while the signing of Kerkez from Bournemouth was the correct long-term move, the youngster’s initial performances were marked by a "reckless and rash" style. Both pundits emphasized that in the "big games," the tactical know-how and positional discipline of a veteran like Robertson outweigh the raw athletic output of a newer signing who is still acclimating to the demands of a title-contending club.

The Shadow of Victor Osimhen

Liverpool’s caution is well-founded given their previous encounter with the Turkish giants in September. In that group stage match, Galatasaray secured a 1-0 victory courtesy of a goal from star striker Victor Osimhen. The memory of that defeat has intensified the scrutiny on Slot’s defensive lineup, as any positional lapse could be ruthlessly exploited by the clinical Nigerian forward. Shearer highlighted that Slot has a "big decision" to make, especially after Robertson’s impressive display during Liverpool’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Wolves on Friday, which reminded observers of his enduring quality.