As we enter another transfer window, Liverpool’s pursuit of dynamic full-backs continues to be a focal point of interest. The full-back position has long been central to the tactical setups of top teams, and Liverpool’s emphasis on full-backs who can offer both defensive stability and attacking width has led to a series of comparisons across Europe’s top leagues.
This article will analyse the strengths of three exciting young left-backs—Milos Kerkez, Álvaro Carreras, and Miguel Gutiérrez—while comparing their playing styles to Liverpool’s most prominent full-back, Andrew Robertson, and emerging talents like Quilindschy Hartman and Lutsharel Geertruida, two of Arne Slot’s former full-backs. We will focus on their build-up play, progressive contributions through carries and passes, and defensive output, with particular attention to ground and aerial duel win rates.
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Hartman is an exciting talent at Feyenoord, offering a mixture of pace and creativity down the left flank. His progressive carries (1.8 per 90) surpass many of his counterparts, including Robertson, and his ability to push forward is a defining feature of Feyenoord’s counter-attacking style. His passing is also progressive, with 5.2 passes per 90, giving him a balanced approach in possession. Defensively, Hartman’s statistics are robust, with 60% ground duel wins and 50% aerial duel wins.
While more of a right-back, Geertruida’s all-around play is worth noting for comparison. Like Hartman, he provides both solid defensive output (65% ground duel success) and progressive contributions through carries (1.4 per 90). His passing, however, is more conservative compared to Robertson or even Kerkez, averaging 4.5 progressive passes per 90.
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Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth – 2 Goals, 5 Assists, 36 Appearances – £40million
Milos Kerkez has garnered attention for his impressive performances with Bournemouth. A left-back with solid technical ability and a keen eye for advancing the ball, Kerkez is known for his combination of pace and intelligence. Standing at 5’9″, he may not possess the towering frame often associated with full-backs, but his agility and speed make him a constant outlet in attack.
Kerkez excels in progressive ball carrying, a vital attribute for modern full-backs. His dribbling style is characterised by bursts of speed and tight control in one-on-one situations. This allows him to break opposition lines and advance into the attacking third. In terms of progressive carries, Kerkez is impressive, averaging 1.4 progressive carries per 90 minutes, similar to Andrew Robertson’s contribution at Liverpool. However, Kerkez is slightly more direct and unpredictable in his approach, often carrying the ball into advanced wide positions rather than cutting inside to provide width as Robertson does.
In terms of progressive passing, Kerkez’s numbers are decent but not as eye-catching as Robertson’s. He averages 4.3 progressive passes per 90 minutes, and while this is respectable, it lacks the sharpness and variety of Robertson’s passing range, particularly his diagonal balls or whipped crosses into the box. Kerkez’s passing tends to be more conservative, often opting for short or medium-range passes, although his through balls into wide areas are also a notable strength.
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Kerkez’s defensive statistics reveal a solid player capable of impacting both ground and aerial duels. He wins 60% of his ground duels and 57% of his aerial duels, numbers that are competitive at his level. His positioning in defensive situations is also sound, contributing to a generally solid defensive presence. In comparison to Robertson, who excels in ground duels (winning 65%), Kerkez holds his own but is not quite as aggressive or dominant in aerial duels (Robertson wins 55% of aerial duels).
Álvaro Carreras – SL Benfica – 3 Goals, 4 Assists, 41 Appearances – £42million
Álvaro Carreras, though not as well-known as some of the other players mentioned, has shown flashes of quality at Benfica in the Primeira Liga. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United full-back is a versatile left-back with excellent technique and a keen eye for progression.
Carreras is a more methodical and composed player in possession. His dribbling is less explosive than that of Kerkez, but he is effective in tight spaces and when maintaining possession. He averages 1.1 progressive carries per 90, which, while solid, is slightly lower than the figures posted by both Kerkez and Robertson. However, he does show excellent decision-making when driving forward, knowing when to pass or take on defenders.
Álvaro is adept at playing out from the back and offering width in the final third. His passing statistics reveal an ability to provide progressive passes with efficiency. The Spanaird averages 5.0 progressive passes per 90, a respectable figure that puts him on a par with Kerkez and even close to Robertson’s range of progressive passes. His passing is focused on short to medium-range passes, and he is particularly effective at linking up play through the midfield.
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The Benfica defender boasts an impressive 65% win rate in ground duels, a figure that is on par with top-tier full-backs. His aerial duel win rate, however, sits at a modest 50%. While Carreras is a strong tackler, he has room to improve his aerial presence in more competitive leagues. Still, his defensive consistency and ability to read the game make him a strong candidate for the future.
Miguel Gutiérrez – Girona – 2 Goals, 5 Assists, 33 Appearances – £30million
Miguel Gutiérrez’s time at Girona has provided valuable experience for the young full-back, known for his ball-playing ability and intelligence. Having come through the ranks at Real Madrid, Gutiérrez has already demonstrated a level of maturity well beyond his years.
Gutiérrez’s ball-carrying ability is one of his most notable attributes. He averages 1.3 progressive carries per 90 minutes and has a greater emphasis on linking up play from deep positions, often playing out of pressure with calmness and poise. His dribbling style is more controlled and tactical compared to the more dynamic approaches of both Robertson and Kerkez. The 23-year-old excels at driving the ball into advanced areas and making progressive runs from deep.
When it comes to passing, Gutiérrez’s accuracy and range stand out. He averages 6.2 progressive passes per 90, showcasing his ability to make quick, incisive passes into advanced areas. His technical ability on the ball allows him to execute longer-range balls, whether diagonals or through passes, effectively making him a strong asset in build-up play.
Defensively, the Spaniard is very strong in ground duels, winning 64% of them. However, his aerial duel success is lower than his ground duel success, with a win rate of 50%. Like Carreras, Gutiérrez’s aerial duels could benefit from further development, but his positioning and timing are generally excellent. His defensive consistency and positional awareness give him an edge over others when evaluating his overall defensive output.
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Each player examined has distinct characteristics, but all share an ability to drive forward, support their team’s build-up play, and contribute defensively. Robertson remains one of the elite full-backs in Europe for his combination of attacking contribution and defensive solidity. However, players like Kerkez, Carreras, and Gutiérrez have shown potential to develop into players who can compete at the highest level, especially with their progressive ball-carrying and passing. While Liverpool’s full-backs tend to have more consistent high-level output in terms of both offensive and defensive contributions, the aforementioned players all have the potential to elevate their games and impact top-tier clubs in the near future.