Whenever a new manager takes the hot seat at Anfield, there’s always a bit of mystery. Players and fans alike spend weeks trying to figure out how things are going to change. Right now, the squad at the AXA Training Centre is getting used to Andoni Iraola’s intense, high-pressing tactical demands.
While most of the players are busy trying to decode the new system, there is one player who already knows the manual by heart.
The dynamics of this pre-season are further complicated by the calendar. With the 2026 World Cup having run deep into the summer, Iraola’s first training sessions at the AXA Training Centre have been noticeably quiet.
A massive chunk of Liverpool’s first-team squad is still away on post-tournament holidays, leaving the Basque boss with a highly stripped-back, youthful group for the opening weeks of preparation.
For players like Kerkez, who are already through the door and up to speed, this thin squad represents a massive opportunity to claim a starting spot before the heavy hitters return.
But the real work begins when the team boards the plane for their pre-season tour of the United States. Liverpool are heading across the Atlantic for a high-profile tour that will serve as the ultimate pressure test for Iraola’s high-energy system.
The Reds are scheduled to play a series of blockbuster friendlies in the US, giving American fans their first glimpse of the new-look side:
The tour features three high-profile matches in iconic American cities against fellow British opposition—Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United. Following their return from the US, the Reds will wrap up their preparations with two final friendlies at Anfield.
**Opponent**
**Date**
**Kickoff Time (BST)**
**Venue & Location**
**Sunderland A.F.C.**
Saturday, July 25, 2026
11:00 PM
GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
**Wrexham A.F.C.**
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
12:30 AM (July 30 BST)
Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
**Leeds United F.C.**
Sunday, August 2, 2026
9:00 PM
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
A familiar connection at Anfield
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For Kerkez, reuniting with Iraola is a massive boost. The two built a fantastic relationship on the South Coast, developing a style of play that eventually earned the left-back his dream move to Anfield.
In early July, Liverpool confirmed a quartet of key backroom appointments, effectively transplanting Bournemouth’s highly rated coaching core straight into the AXA Training Centre.
Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper first-team coaches both at Bournemouth have made the jump to L4. Elphick, who captained the Cherries during their fairytale rise to the Premier League, and Cooper, who skippered the club for seven seasons, worked closely with Iraola on the South Coast. They are the hands-on characters responsible for ensuring the defensive shapes are tight and the intensity levels remain sky-high.
De la Torre has teamed up with Iraola, having previously followed him to AEK Larnaca, Rayo Vallecano, and Bournemouth.
“I’m really happy they’re here,” Kerkez [told Liverpoolfc.com.](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/exciting-times-ahead-why-milos-kerkez-delighted-be-reunited-andoni-iraola) “I think we had really great times together in Bournemouth and when I saw that he \[Iraola\] was coming, when I heard about it, was obviously really happy. I know him, I spent two years with them in Bournemouth.”
That kind of familiarity is pure gold during a transition period. With Liverpool adjusting to another tactical shift, having a player who already understands the pressing triggers and defensive shapes will make life a lot easier for everyone else.
“They know me, I know them and I know that they can bring a lot to the club – especially Andoni with the playing style, with the energy and how he wants his team to play,” Kerkez added. “I think it suits Liverpool and I think it’s going to be really exciting times ahead.”
**“If You Don’t Do It, You’re Not Playing”**
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While Iraola is highly respected for his tactical brain, Kerkez is quick to point out that he’s also incredibly straightforward. There’s no room for players to drift or coast through pre-season. The boss demands total buy-in, and if you aren’t willing to put in the hard yards, you’ll find yourself on the bench.
Kerkez offered a very honest look at what his teammates can expect behind closed doors:
‘He’s a nice person, obviously. He is nice,” Kerkez said. “He lets you know straightforward what he wants from you, then it’s up to you to do it. 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’s a refreshingly simple way of managing. Do your job, or you’re out. In a dressing room full of big personalities, that kind of clarity is exactly what keeps everyone sharp.
Anyone who has watched Iraola on the touchline knows he is a livewire. He’s constantly shouting instructions, living every tackle, and wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Kerkez believes this relentless energy comes directly from his roots. As an Athletic Bilbao icon, Iraola embodies that gritty, passionate Basque football culture a mindset that fits Anfield perfectly.
“He’s maybe not much of a talker, but he shows fully his emotions a lot, you can see on the sideline and everywhere that he’s really, really energetic,” Kerkez explained. “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.”
For Kerkez, the plan is simple: put your head down, listen to the manager, and the results will follow.
“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,” Kerkez concluded.
It’s going to be a fascinating summer. There’s plenty of hard work ahead, but with Kerkez helping to lead the way under Iraola’s guidance, the future is looking very bright.