Milos Kerkez has admitted Liverpool must be prepared for the cauldron of noise at St James' Park when they face Newcastle United in Sunday's Premier League opener.
The Magpies get their season under way against Andoni Iraola's Liverpool, with tributes planned in honour of Kevin Keegan, a hero at both clubs, following his death in July. The game also marks Matthias Jaissle's first competitive match in charge of Newcastle, and after a summer of transfer exits, a mood of defiance is expected inside the stadium.
Kerkez ready for the challenge
Speaking after Liverpool's 2-0 pre-season win over Como, the left-back said: "We said we need to get the win, to get that positive mentality going into the next week. So, we did good, clean sheet, good for the defenders, and we’re happy."
He added: "We have still some work to be more defensively set up, more help obviously from the wingers, but it’s going to come next week."
Kerkez, who played his first 90 minutes of the summer against Como, said: "This is the first time I played 90 minutes this summer, I felt a bit my legs at I would say 70-something minutes, but it’s good to get the whole 90 minutes."
Atmosphere at St James' Park
Having played at St James' Park for both Bournemouth and Liverpool, Kerkez knows what to expect. "Yeah, I can remember last season how it was – a big difference for me when you play for Bournemouth at Newcastle and Liverpool at Newcastle," he said.
"I can’t wait and I think my teammates also can’t wait. It’s a brilliant atmosphere there. It's the first game and we need to get the three points, definitely."
Kerkez concluded: "We need to be ready for Premier League intensity next week. You know how it is, especially at Newcastle away, so it was good that a lot of guys got 90 minutes, definitely."
