Milos Kerkez says he is enjoying the greater freedom he has been given by Andoni Iraola while explaining how the new Liverpool manager's playing style differs from Arne Slot.
Iraola is the man tasked with reviving Liverpool following a bitterly disappointing second campaign under Slot. The Dutchman was dismissed earlier in the summer, with Iraola then hired following three impressive years in charge of Bournemouth.
Liverpool's trademark intensity dropped alarmingly last season, with the high press worryingly erratic at times. Iraola is renowned for his high-energy approach without the ball and his ability to improve young players.
Kerkez on Iraola's impact
Kerkez spent two seasons under Iraola's management at Bournemouth before making a £40million move to Anfield last summer. He didn't have the desired impact in his debut campaign but is confident that he will flourish, with Iraola's approach better suited to him.
“Everyone hopes so (that Iraola can deliver special times),” Kerkez told the Liverpool Echo when asked how Iraola had changed things. “I mean, it's a big difference, obviously.
“We play really aggressive. We need to run a lot more. It is good. It is tough, but if you want to compete at the top, you need to do that in the Champions League, the Premier League.
“You can see I have more freedom to fly up and down. I'm really running more, with more freedom, putting more balls into boxes. The manager gave me confidence when I was in Bournemouth. We all have to do what he tells us to do. Play aggressive, front-foot, so we need to continue.”
Pre-season finale and new signings
The Reds begin their 2026/27 campaign away at Newcastle on Sunday after wrapping up pre-season with a 2-0 win over Como. The match was a much-needed morale boost for Liverpool, who had previously suffered high-scoring defeats by Leeds and Monaco.
Both Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong got 90 minutes at full-back, while Jeremy Jacquet scored and impressed alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence. “He was brilliant, really,” Kerkez said of Jacquet. “Defensively, calm on the ball. Confidence is what we need. Plays hard, plays aggressive. Liverpool style of play, definitely. Really, really good.”
New signing Ronald Araujo replaced Jacquet for the second half, helping Alisson keep a timely clean sheet.
“Araujo when he came in second half was aggressive, made a few tackles,” Kerkez added. “So was good. JJ good. We were solid. Ali, great, great to keep balls out of the net, so feels good when you have a clean sheet. We have to keep going next week.”
