**Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has urged Milos Kerkez to show what he’s capable of after an underwhelming first season at the club.**
Much like many of Liverpool’s underperformers last season, I haven’t put too much stock in poor performances, given how dire the football and tactics were in Arne Slot’s second campaign in charge.
That said, the same excuse is not available this season, and someone like Kerkez is actually under more pressure to deliver what we all know he’s capable of now that his former manager, Andoni Iraola, is in the picture.
Under the Spanish manager, Iraola was named in the 2024/25 Premier League team of the season and he should now return to his very best.
Glen Johnson hopes to see more from Kerkez
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Johnson is [quoted](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-transfer-news-live-barcola-34468550) as saying: _“I think this season is crunch time for Milos Kerkez. It’s time for him to prove the doubters wrong. He was great at Bournemouth and struggled for Liverpool last season._
_“He did show glimpses at times, but he needs to put in top performances much more consistently. I think Iraola coming into Liverpool will help him out a lot._
_“Iraola knows his strengths and how to get the best out of him, so I fully expect him to improve tenfold this season. If he doesn’t, then I’m not sure he has any excuses left, he must improve this year.”_
Kerkez will almost certainly return to his best
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The Hungarian is something of a chaotic player, but in Iraola’s system, that’s actually a major strength.
Liverpool are set to return to heavy metal football much like what Jurgen Klopp brought to Anfield, even if there are fundamental differences in the way Iraola does things.
That said, a player like Kerkez thrives in these conditions. Liverpool were so passive last season that the left-back was unable to show his true ability.
It’s also important to remember that he’s only 22. There is still so much he has to learn and I’m sure that playing alongside Virgil van Dijk for a year has already had benefits that are yet to be reaped. That should happen this season.