Milos Kerkez is set to play against his former club Bournemouth for Liverpool on Saturday evening and the left-back has responded to the scrutiny he has faced in the Premier League
Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer
01:27, 24 Jan 2026
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks with Milos Kerkez as he is brought on as a substitute during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has lauded Milos Kerkez for his mental toughness(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Milos Kerkez had already impressed with his displays for Liverpool this week when he drew attention off the field. It served to underscore the motivation behind his recent progress with the Reds.
Kerkez was speaking on social media following a strong performance in the 3-0 Champions League victory at Marseille on Wednesday night when he responded to an apology from one persistent critic. That the Hungarian posted "critics give me even more fuel" would indicate he had been given abundant motivation during the initial months following his $54 million summer transfer from Bournemouth, given the frequently harsh assessments of his performances.
Kerkez, however, has been amongst a cohort of new arrivals to have raised their game to help establish the platform for Liverpool's current 13-match unbeaten streak. And as the left-back prepares for his maiden return to his previous club at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night, Arne Slot believes the fact that the 22-year-old has come through such a trial by fire is evidence of his mental fortitude.
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"I have a lot of respect for these players," said the Liverpool manager. "For Milos, for example, he had to adjust to the Premier League and to add the Champions League to that. If you lose more games than everyone would have expected us to lose, criticism comes with that.
"And then you have to stay fit. You also have to adapt to new standards. I'm not sure if there has been research but usually when a team doesn't do so well, there are a lot of injuries.
"We don't have a lot of injuries. I talk about that I have to adapt but that is not because I have a lot. We only have three long-term injuries but the rest are almost constantly fit (touch wood). They have had a period where things have gone against them individually and collectively.
"It tells me a lot about the work they put in, the quality of the coaching staff, but also the mentality of the players and Milos is a great example of that."
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: Milos Kerkez of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique Marseille v Liverpool at the Stade Vélodrome on January 21, 2026 in Marseille France (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Kerkez has bounced back from a difficult start to his Liverpool career(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Kerkez was amongst seven substantial signings during the summer, with the same number of first-team regulars — most of whom were crucial to Liverpool's title triumph last season — departing. When the Reds kicked off with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth in August, they became the first reigning champions to start four league newcomers in their opening fixture of the subsequent campaign, with Kerkez amongst them.
Slot acknowledges there was always doubt that the largely essential squad reconstruction meant this could become a transitional season for the Reds, who trail leaders Arsenal by 14 points and hold just a single-point advantage over the pursuing pack in fourth position. "Everyone at the club was aware of this," he said.
"If you make changes, transition can be a part of that. But after the first six games, we had a different idea. But looking where we are now, I don't think anyone sees it as a surprise that we needed a bit of time to adjust. I have said this 150 times, I feel as if I say it every day: some players needed time to adjust.
"Giovanni Leoni was injured straight away. We had 10 minutes of the Alex (Isak) we thought we were getting at Tottenham. That was the first time we had seen him — then he was out.
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"If you take that all into account, if I have to use one word for this season, then it is 'adaptation.' Every single time, it feels like something happens — 's---, I haven't got a full-back!' or 'who am I going to play there?' or 'we don't have a winger' – it is a constant adaptation to things we have had during the season.
"This club makes signings that are mostly young and you know the best is still to come. They are young but they are also very good. If you sign the same player aged 27, then he is cheaper."
Slot has faced numerous different obstacles compared to his triumphant first season, and considers man-management as the most crucial aspect of his position.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Slot has noted that the 2025/26 season has been defined by constant 'adaptation'(Image: Getty Images)
"I have tried to show the players individually and as a team that results are always the most important thing in football and what we need to improve to get those results as well," he said. "But I have showed that the performances have been much better than the outside world (thinks). That is not to say there are not things that we have to improve.
"But that was the same last season as well. Maybe last season you show more the things that don't go well.
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"Both situations take a lot of man-management. People think that when you win it is easy - you just come in, walk to your office, walk to the pitch and things are done.
"No. There is a lot to do then as well because as we all know players can get over-confident. Man-management is always one of the main things. People think about tactics but man-management is the one that is by far (the most important)."