Milos Kerkez has expressed his delight over the appointment of Andoni Iraola as Liverpool manager. Reuniting with the Basque coach after two seasons together at Bournemouth, the 22-year-old left-back believes the high-intensity tactical approach is the perfect fit for the squad following a difficult previous campaign.
It has been a whirlwind summer for Milos Kerkez. Amid the off-season commotion, the 22-year-old also had to clear up an amusing misunderstanding on social media.
After posting photographs of himself alongside a bride, speculation spread that the Hungarian international had married during his break. As Kerkez explained to reporters in downtown Chicago, the wedding belonged to his oldest brother, Rade, and Serbian custom dictated that the younger brother escort the bride to the church.
Reuniting With Andoni Iraola at Anfield
With the personal record straightened out, Kerkez turned his focus to the pitch. The arrival of Andoni Iraola brought an immediate sense of familiarity, as the pair had previously spent two seasons working together at Bournemouth before the defender made a £40m move to Merseyside.
“I was delighted, honestly. I worked for him before, and he helped me and improved me a lot in the two years that I spent with him. I was really happy, obviously for myself but also for the team. Everyone knows what type of football he plays, so I think he is the perfect fit for us.”
Milos Kerkez
That prior relationship puts the full-back in a unique position within the dressing room. While teammates are adapting to new methods, Kerkez already understands the precise physical and tactical demands required by his manager.
High Intensity and the Dreaded ‘Consequences’
Pre-season training under Iraola has proven to be uncompromisingly rigorous. During the club’s tour of the United States, players have been subjected to exhausting double sessions in sweltering conditions, designed to build the physical conditioning needed for the season.
Kerkez highlighted the intense competitive element built into training drills through a system the manager calls ‘consequences’.
“Sometimes we play some games with three or four teams and he calls it ‘consequences’. The losing team has to run. How much you have to run depends on what he decides in that moment, but there is always running for the team that loses.”
Milos Kerkez
The tactical identity is equally demanding. Kerkez noted that the coach is not scared to play one-on-one all over the pitch, press high, and maintain a front-foot posture.
Stepping Up After a Difficult Season
Last term proved testing for the entire Liverpool squad as the club finished fifth in the Premier League. Kerkez admitted that standards dipped during the campaign, making a reset essential for everyone involved.
Kerkez credited Robertson for his support during a challenging debut year, calling the Scottish defender a legend.
Under Iraola’s preferred system, full-backs are encouraged to push down the line through overlapping and underlapping runs, which played directly to the strengths that earned Kerkez a spot in the 2024-25 PFA Team of the Year. However, the defender emphasizes that defensive responsibility remains the absolute foundation.
“He always told me that defending is really important, for him that is first of all, and because you are a full-back you need to defend really hard. Everything you can do in front of you is like a bonus. So I was always focused first on defending and then running forward to help the wingers. He showed me that when you do your job then you are free to do what you want, so I felt really free with him.”
Milos Kerkez
What Lies Ahead on the Pre-Season Tour
Liverpool opened their pre-season campaign under the new regime with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville. Sunderland defender Dan Ballard remarked afterward that the Merseysiders played with significantly more aggression and directness than they had under the previous management.
The squad’s tour continues as Kerkez and his teammates prepare for their remaining fixtures in the United States.
