Milos Kerkez has admitted Liverpool have a "way to go" before they fully grasp the demands of head coach Andoni Iraola after a challenging start to the season. The Reds suffered their first defeat under the new boss on Sunday, losing 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off.
Kerkez on Iraola's style
Kerkez, who spent two seasons with Iraola at Bournemouth before joining Liverpool last year, acknowledged the squad still has plenty of work to do. "The style of play right now, we are running a lot, playing more aggressive, more front-footed, and all the players are buying into his philosophy," he said. "Of course, there is still a way to go and a way to improve but I think we are on the right track."
Reflecting on the City defeat, the left-back said: "We were really disappointed after the game. We competed really well for 60 minutes, and after that what happened happened." He added: "A lot of people, including us as players, had a feeling we deserved better, but at the end of the day results are what matter. It wasn't ideal but we move on."
Kerkez's own form and fixture congestion
On his personal improvement, Kerkez said: "I am more settled now, it is my second year. I was adapting more last season. It's all development. Obviously, I knew the gaffer for a long time at Bournemouth. I feel a lot more easy."
Liverpool face LASK in Linz on Wednesday in their second Champions League game of the campaign, with the match being the second in 29 days for a squad hit by injuries. "It's a bit tough. Games are coming quick but we are professionals. We have to take recovery very seriously," Kerkez admitted. "Young players are also helping us a lot. You don't have much time to train and prepare for the next game."
Szoboszlai fitness update
Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is among those absent for Liverpool at the Raiffeisen Arena, nursing a hamstring problem that kept him out of the City game. Asked if Szoboszlai could be fit for Saturday's Premier League trip to Brentford, Kerkez said: "I don't know if he is fit. But I know Dom and he doesn't like to be out long, he wants to play every game and will want to play Saturday."
