There are few Liverpool players it could be argued stand to benefit more from Arne Slot’s sacking than Milos Kerkez.
It is not that the defender was out of favour during his debut season at Anfield, having displaced Andy Robertson at left-back to make 48 appearances under a manager who fully supported his signing.
Rather, the biggest reason for disappointment over the course of that maiden campaign came from the manner in which he was deployed.
Started38
As Sub10
Unused9
Goals2
Assists2
Total Apps48
And that is something that is clearly going to change significantly when his former manager, Andoni Iraola, takes the reins this summer.
It was under the Spaniard that Kerkez dominated the left flank at Bournemouth in his first Premier League season, posting five assists and two goals at the age of just 20.
How Arne Slot used Milos Kerkez
Yet, having no doubt watched that closely, Slot inexplicably had a different idea of how to use his skillset, tucking him in alongside Virgil van Dijk like an extra centre-back following his move to Merseyside.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 14, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot tells Milos Kerkez why he has been substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That not only dulled the strengths of pace, thrust and creativity that had made him worth signing, resulting in just three goal contributions, but it also highlighted weaknesses in his game around involvement in build-up.
For that reason, no wonder Kerkez made an uncertain start that led to many writing him off – often unfairly.
In truth, even among the mixed performances of that period there were reasons to be encouraged, including impressive showings against Arsenal and Everton in which he was arguably man of the match.
Further improvements were also made as the season wore on, with fans growing to love, rather than fear, the Hungary international’s frenetic approach to defending.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 13, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez throws a medicine ball during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Still, it never quite felt like the best version of Kerkez – the one seen on the south coast – ever truly arrived in a red shirt.
That this was also true of fellow signings such as Florian Wirtz no doubt played a huge role in Slot being relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
With that decision made, it will be hoped that the 22-year-old can now fulfil his potential under a manager who knows exactly how to get the best out of him.
Andoni Iraola knows how to get the best from Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Iraola has already spoken about how he is looking forward to reuniting with his former left-back.
“It’s much easier to continue in the Premier League in terms of knowing the squad,” the new coach said on LFC TV.
“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths. I think we have a very good squad.
“I think there is still work to do like normally in every club in this moment of the season, but right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
“I will tell them, [they] are all new signings.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.
“I only had, I think, Milos in the squad before – I know a couple, I’ve been talking to a couple before – but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development.”
Like Kerkez, Iraola’s game is all about verticality and intensity, and so it is hard not imagine him thriving during the coming campaign.
If that can happen, then it will improve Liverpool as a whole, and the player’s middling first season will become a footnote in an exciting Anfield career.
Best moment: A superb display away defensively against Arsenal as Liverpool drew 0-0 and Kerkez was named player of the match.
Worst moment: A performance full of rash moments as Liverpool lost 2-1 to Man United at Anfield in October.
Role next season: First-choice left-back, with Kostas Tsimikas expected to be his deputy.