Milos Kerkez has delivered a warning to his teammates about Andoni Iraola‘s standards and what it means for their place in Liverpool’s lineup.
Kerkez played 74 games under Iraola over two seasons at Bournemouth, giving the Hungarian a unique insight into what the new head coach will demand at Anfield.
He earned his £40 million transfer to Anfield partly due to how the Spaniard utilised him and harnessed his desire to drive forward and create opportunities in the final third.
But while he established himself as a regular on the south coast, he knows nothing is a given under a head coach who sets high demands for his team.
No guarantees under Andoni Iraola
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking to the club’s website at the start of pre-season, Kerkez warned his teammates about Iraola’s uncompromising management.
“He’s a nice person, obviously. He is nice. He lets you know straightforward what he wants from you, then it’s up to you to do it,” he explained.
“I mean, if you don’t do it, you’re not playing, simple as that. But he is good. Like I said, he lets you know what you need to do for him.”
It is an uncompromising stance that ought to awaken a dressing room that lacked direction for much of last season.
“He’s maybe not much of a talker,” Kerkez added, “but he shows fully his emotions a lot, you can see on the sideline and everywhere that he’s really, really energetic.
“He is coming from Bilbao, and you know their mentality is also like that, so, like I say, I think he’s a really perfect boss for Liverpool and how he wants his team to play.
“We just have to make a good pre-season and obviously listen to him, listen to what he wants from us, and I think the team is going to be in good shape.”
Iraola’s style demands discipline, high energy and commitment, and from Kerkez’s words, he clearly has no qualms leaving players out if they do not meet his expectations of them.
“He likes to play direct, high, front-foot, and I think that’s perfect also for me,” Kerkez continued.
“So, I think not only me, I think a lot of players are going to like it. I think it’s going to be good.”
Liverpool supporters will get the first glimpse of Iraola’s intentions for the team on the first stop of their US tour, which sees the Reds face Sunderland on July 25.
Football – Liverpool FC Pre-Season Tour of Asia – Day 6 – Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
Football – Liverpool FC Pre-Season Tour of Asia – Day 6 – Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City – Emirates FA Cup – Quarter Final – Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth's Illya Zabarnyi during the Emirates FA Cup quarter final match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Sunday March 30, 2025.
2 x collage (16)
2 x collage (16)