Andoni Iraola will need to get more out of the players that Liverpool signed last summer if he takes over from Arne Slot at Anfield, but he has already worked with one before
08:10, 02 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola claps the Bournemouth fans at Anfield.
Andoni Iraola claps the Bournemouth fans at Anfield.(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)
One key to getting more out of the group of players that the next Liverpool head coach takes over will be further unlocking the string of signings that were made last summer.
Investing around $600M in new faces, Liverpool is yet to see anything close to the full potential of those stars being realized, in large part due to injuries to the likes of Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni.
Moving forward, though, each of the individuals has a huge amount of quality. They should be able to learn from their first campaign at Liverpool, or improve substantially when they are fit again.
Milos Kerkez would fall into the former camp. The Hungary left-back started with some mixed performances at Liverpool, but grew in confidence as the months progressed.
And, having already worked with Andoni Iraola, assuming that it is the ex-Bournemouth boss who takes over from Arne Slot, he will hope to replicate the form that saw him make the Premier League Team of the Season just prior to his Liverpool transfer.
"I think he has been growing a lot," Iraola said of Kerkez ahead of the left-back going back to play against his old side in January.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool warms up with Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Liverpool spent over $600M last summer, including the signings of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez(Image: Getty Images)
"In the last games, I think he has been phenomenal. The other day I saw him with confidence, pushing forward, very good defensively and sometimes when you sign for one of these big clubs, you need this period of adaptation.
"I think the more time he plays, the more games he starts, the better Milos we will see, like we are seeing in the last games. I think now he's with the same confidence, probably that he was here with us.
"I'm sure he will be a very good signing for Liverpool and he's also a great guy, full of energy. We miss him a lot.
"Not just in the footballing side, just personally, he gives a lot of energy to the dressing room, and I'm sure he will be very good for Liverpool."
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Iraola's system is not hugely different to Slot's, with some more aggression and intensity in the final third. But Kerkez was sensational under his guidance before, and the hope will be to get back to those levels.
Liverpool.com says: Kerkez is a top full-back and he has all the skills required to excel there. No matter who the head coach is next season, you can expect him to press on again.
He did much better than he was given credit for in difficult circumstances after arriving at Liverpool last year. He is only 22 and it is easy to forget that in the wake of the Reds spending $54 million (£40 million) to snap him up.