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Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez has spoken about the dramatic summer at Anfield, which saw Andoni Iraola take over from Arne Slot in the dugout. The Hungary international, who had earlier thrived under the Spanish coach at Bournemouth, feels the new managerial set-up is exactly what the Reds require to get back to their best.

Reuniting with Iraola at Anfield

Iraola’s appointment signals a major change in direction for Liverpool, but for Kerkez, it also means the renewal of a partnership he knows well and one that has already brought success. After joining Bournemouth from Dutch side AZ in the summer of 2023, the Hungarian defender flourished under Iraola, making 74 appearances across two seasons and earning a place in the 2024–25 PFA Team of the Year. That excellent run of form led to his £40 million move to Anfield, where player and manager have now been reunited. As a result, the 22-year-old left-back is in a strong position to explain what Liverpool’s squad can expect from their new head coach.

Speaking to The Athletic about working with Iraola again, Kerkez said he was delighted with the club’s decision to appoint a manager he knows so well. "I worked for him before and he helped me and improved me a lot in the two years that I spent with him," Kerkez says. "I was really happy he got the job: 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. He’s all about intensity. He’s not scared to play one-on-one all over the pitch, to press high and to be on the front foot always. I think the other guys also like how he works."

The shock of the Arne Slot dismissal

Although the future appears promising under Iraola, Slot’s exit came as a major shock to many, including members of the squad themselves - particularly as he had guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut 2024–25 season. Slot was sacked only one week after the end of a campaign in which Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League. Even though the club secured qualification for the Champions League, the inconsistency across the season ultimately prompted the board to take a ruthless call.

“It was a big surprise. I was back in Serbia, I was sleeping when my brother woke me up and showed me the news (about Slot),” the defender explains. “Nobody knew. I couldn’t believe it. I was like: ‘Wow’. I have been in touch with him since and we have exchanged a few messages. Last season was tough for everyone. It wasn’t good for our standards. We need to improve this year.”

High intensity and the Iraola method

Adjusting to the tactical demands of the new manager has been the main priority during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States. Iraola is known for a fierce pressing game that demands top physical fitness, and training sessions in the American heat have reportedly been extremely punishing. It is an important period for Kerkez as well, after a mixed first season at Anfield in which he made 48 appearances in all competitions, including 38 starts, and contributed two goals along with two assists.

“He’s very professional. He likes to talk sometimes but not a lot. I think maybe he doesn’t want to get too close to some players and wants to show that everyone is the same in the team," Kerkez notes. "He shows a lot of emotion on the sidelines but in the locker room and in training, he’s pretty calm.

Running for the cause at Liverpool

The competitive edge in Iraola’s training is also underlined by his use of "consequences" for teams that lose practice matches. This sense of accountability is intended to build a tough and durable squad capable of maintaining the high-energy football needed to challenge for major trophies - the same approach that helped Bournemouth achieve a historic sixth-place finish last season and qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in club history.

“If you see the footage of how we all are after training, all lying down, then you can see what he is preparing us for,” Kerkez adds. “You definitely need legs and good condition for what he wants us to do, but we will be alright. Sometimes we play some games with three or four teams and he calls it ‘consequences’. The losing team has to run," Kerkez explains. "How much you have to run depends on what he decides in that moment, but there is always running for the team that loses. I like to run a lot. It’s why I stay after training."