**“I TOOK THE BLAME… BUT SLOT’S WORDS CUT DEEP” – KERKEZ OPENS UP ON POST-MATCH CLASH AFTER LIVERPOOL’S DEFEAT TO CRYSTAL PALACE**
Liverpool’s shocking 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park has erupted into far more than just a setback in the Premier League. What was already a disappointing evening for the Reds has now developed into a full-blown controversy after defender Milos Kerkez admitted he was involved in a heated exchange with manager Arne Slot moments after the final whistle.
The young left-back, only 21 years old, was at the heart of the storm following a costly defensive mistake that directly contributed to Palace’s opening goal. While Kerkez didn’t shy away from accepting his share of responsibility, he stunned fans and pundits alike by revealing that the comments made by Slot after the game left him feeling deeply wounded.
“I know I made a huge mistake, I’ll never deny that,” Kerkez confessed. “But what the manager said to me after the game was unacceptable. No player deserves to hear those words, no matter how badly they play.”
Although the Hungarian international refused to disclose exactly what was said, reports from inside the dressing room suggest Slot fiercely questioned Kerkez’s mentality and even his long-term commitment to the club. The remarks are believed to have come in the immediate aftermath of a frustrating evening for Liverpool, where Federico Chiesa’s equalizer looked to have steadied the ship before a late Eddie Nketiah strike secured all three points for Palace.
The defeat was significant for several reasons. It ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run, highlighted long-standing vulnerabilities in their defensive setup, and raised new concerns about squad morale. But the most explosive storyline remains the apparent fallout between Slot and Kerkez—a rift that some fear could destabilize the atmosphere inside the camp if left unresolved.
Among supporters, opinion is sharply divided. A section of the fanbase applauds Slot’s uncompromising approach, arguing that accountability is vital for young players if Liverpool are to compete at the highest level. Others, however, believe the Dutch manager may have gone too far, warning that harsh public or private criticism can shatter confidence, especially in a player still adjusting to the Premier League’s intensity.
On online forums, debates are raging: Was Slot right to hold Kerkez to such brutal standards, or should the criticism have been delivered more constructively behind closed doors? Equally, some feel Kerkez himself made a mistake by taking the dispute public, potentially amplifying the controversy and inviting unnecessary media scrutiny.
For Crystal Palace, the win was another feather in their cap as they continue a remarkable run under their current manager. But for Liverpool, this clash was about much more than three points dropped. It has sparked the first genuine test of Arne Slot’s authority and man-management style since taking over at Anfield.
Now, the football world waits for Slot’s response. Will he stand by his words and double down on discipline, or attempt to repair the damage by easing tensions with his young defender? One thing is clear—Selhurst Park did not just mark the end of Liverpool’s unbeaten streak; it may have ignited the first true crisis of Slot’s tenure.
