The transfer market is heating up as Liverpool, fresh off their Premier League triumph, secures a major coup by agreeing to a £40 million deal for Bournemouth’s standout left-back, Milos Kerkez. The 21-year-old Hungarian international, known for his relentless energy and attacking flair, is set to undergo a medical next week before signing a five-year contract with the Reds, marking their third high-profile signing of the summer. This move, however, has caught the attention of an unlikely figure: darts sensation and ardent Manchester United fan Luke Littler. The 18-year-old, never one to shy away from poking fun at his club’s rivals, reacted to the news with a cheeky social media gesture, highlighting the bittersweet sentiment among United supporters as Liverpool bolsters their squad ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Kerkez’s journey to Anfield has been a long time coming. After joining Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5 million in July 2023, the young defender quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising talents. In the 2024-25 season, he started all 38 of Bournemouth’s league matches, contributing two goals and six assists while helping the Cherries achieve a club-record ninth-place finish with 56 points. His ability to combine defensive solidity with dynamic underlapping runs—completing 476 passes into the final third, the 10th most among Premier League defenders—made him a prime target for Liverpool’s recruitment team. “As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams,” Kerkez said earlier this year, a statement that now resonates as he prepares to join the reigning champions.
The transfer, orchestrated by Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes—who played a pivotal role in bringing Kerkez to Bournemouth during his tenure there—marks a strategic move to refresh the Reds’ backline. With Andy Robertson, now 31, showing signs of decline and attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, and Kostas Tsimikas potentially on his way out after five years as a backup, Kerkez is poised to compete for the starting left-back role under manager Arne Slot. The Hungarian’s arrival follows Liverpool’s signings of Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million and Florian Wirtz for a club-record £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen, signaling an ambitious summer overhaul to maintain their title-winning momentum.
For Littler, a lifelong Manchester United supporter, the news of Kerkez’s move to Anfield was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the defender’s past admiration for United. Kerkez, who grew up idolizing United legend Nemanja Vidic, was once linked with a move to Old Trafford, where his versatility could have addressed the Red Devils’ need for a reliable left-back amid Luke Shaw’s injury concerns. Despite his affiliations, Littler couldn’t resist engaging with the transfer buzz, liking a social media post about Kerkez’s imminent move—a subtle nod that sparked amusement among fans online. This playful interaction echoes Littler’s history of teasing Liverpool supporters, such as when he mocked their 3-0 Europa League defeat to Atalanta in 2024 with a cheeky “Oh dear” caption and a monkey emoji, just before a darts final.
Littler’s reaction underscores the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, a feud that extends beyond the pitch. The darts prodigy, who won the 2025 World Championship and paraded the Sid Waddell Trophy at Old Trafford, has made no secret of his Red Devils allegiance. “I met Ferguson two times last season, and I went back recently. For myself and my dad, who has seen all the glory days, it was surreal,” he said, reflecting on his visits to United’s hallowed ground. His social media antics, from messaging United players like Mason Mount and Harry Maguire to poking fun at Liverpool’s misfortunes, have endeared him to United fans while making him a public enemy at Anfield.
Kerkez’s move, confirmed by his father and agent, Sebastijan Kerkez, as a “done deal,” highlights Liverpool’s edge in the transfer market. “It’s only Liverpool for us, and we’re not going anywhere else,” Sebastijan declared, emphasizing their trust in Hughes. The deal, which progressed swiftly after Bournemouth secured Adrien Truffert from Rennes as Kerkez’s replacement, leaves United fans like Littler reflecting on missed opportunities. United, who signed Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in January, are no longer in the race for a left-back, clearing the path for Liverpool to secure Kerkez’s signature.
As Liverpool prepares for the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, Kerkez’s arrival adds depth and dynamism to a squad aiming to dominate both domestically and in Europe. For Littler, the sting of seeing a former United target join their rivals is softened by his own success on the oche, but his playful social media jab ensures the rivalry remains alive. With Kerkez set to link up with compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield, Liverpool fans are buzzing with excitement, while United supporters, led by Littler’s lighthearted trolling, brace for another chapter in this storied competition.
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