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Milos Kerkez## Liverpool supporters have been given insight into Andoni Iraola’s methods after Reds defender Milos Kerkez who has played under him at revealed what to expect from the Spaniard
14:32, 28 Jul 2026
Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth with Milos Kerkez during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest FC at Vitality Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Bournemouth, England
Andoni Iraola and Milos Kerkez spent time at Bournemouth before linking up at Liverpool(Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Milos Kerkez, who has already worked under Andoni Iraola, has lifted the lid on what supporters can expect from the new Reds boss, revealing insight into his coaching methods ahead of the new season.
Kerkez flourished under Iraola after joining Bournemouth from Dutch side AZ in the summer of 2023. He made 74 appearances across two seasons, with his impressive performances earning him a place in the 2024-25 PFA Team of the Year and a $54 million move to Liverpool.
As the only player in the squad with previous experience of working under the new head coach he was uniquely placed to understand what the Spaniard would bring after replacing Arne Slot at Anfield.
Kerkez has revealed that Iraola’s intensity and tactical approach make him the ideal fit for Liverpool, praising the Spaniard’s high-pressing style and commitment to attacking football. The Hungarian international also said the manager encourages players to take on opponents in one-on-one situations and always play on the front foot.
“I worked for him before and he helped me and improved me a lot in the two years that I spent with him,” Kerkez said in an interview with The Athletic. “I was really happy he got the job: obviously for myself but also for the team. Everyone knows what type of football he plays, so I think he is the perfect fit for us.
“He’s all about intensity. He’s not scared to play one-on-one all over the pitch, to press high and to be on the front foot always. I think the other guys also like how he works.
“He’s very professional. He likes to talk sometimes but not a lot. I think maybe he doesn’t want to get too close to some players and wants to show that everyone is the same in the team. He shows a lot of emotion on the sidelines but in the locker room and in training, he’s pretty calm.”
Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez (6) during a friendly match between Liverpool and Sunderland
Milos Kerkez told Liverpool fans what they can expect from Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Fitness has been a major focus for Liverpool as they adapt to Iraola’s demanding style, with players put through gruelling double training sessions in sweltering conditions during the club’s ongoing tour of the United States. The intense preparations are designed to ensure the squad can meet the physical demands of the Spaniard’s high-energy approach.
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“If you see the footage of how we all are after training, all lying down, then you can see what he is preparing us for,” Kerkez added. “You definitely need legs and good condition for what he wants us to do, but we will be alright.
“Sometimes we play some games with three or four teams and he calls it ‘consequences’. The losing team has to run. How much you have to run depends on what he decides in that moment, but there is always running for the team that loses.
“I like to run a lot. It’s why I stay after training. I run from one penalty area to the other. There and back, rest, then there and back again. I’ve always been the kind of guy who has to move. That’s why I can keep on running.”
Liverpool FC
Milos Kerkez
Andoni Iraola
AFC Bournemouth