Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images
Milos Kerkez scored his first goal for Hungary on Friday night, grabbing the only goal of the game in a Nations League win over Georgia in Budapest.
In goal for the Georgians was, of course, Giorgi Mamardashvili, with Kerkez beating his Liverpool teammate with a header in the second half. There was little Mamardashvili could do to stop the effort, with his defenders failing to pick the left-back up in the middle of the penalty area.
It was obviously a big moment for Kerkez, who is not one to hide his emotions on the pitch, and after the game he made a point of heading over to Mamardashvili, who greeted his conqueror with a hug and a smile.
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Kerkez and Mamardashvili all smiles after clash
If Mamardashvili was going to be beaten by a Liverpool teammate on Friday, he would have expected it to be Dominik Szoboszlai, who blasted in a belting goal during the goalkeeper’s only outing of the season for the Reds so far – against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
But although Szoboszlai did test him with a long-range effort which Mamardashvili tipped over the bar, it was Kerkez who stepped up as the surprise match-winner.
After the game, fan footage showed Kerkez jogging over to the goalie as he stood chatting to Szoboszlai on the pitch. With the left-back grinning widely, the two Liverpool players embraced in a hug, before Mamardashvili makes a comment which leaves Kerkez laughing.
The Georgian then puts a big arm around his clubmate as they walk, talk and laugh together, before fellow Liverpool teammate Armin Pecsi interrupts and gets a hug from Mamardashvili himself.
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Szoboszlai reacts to rare Kerkez goal
When they play together for Hungary or Liverpool, Kerkez is much more used to celebrating Szoboszlai’s goals than the other way around.
However, the Reds’ midfielder expressed his delight at seeing the full-back get a rare moment in the spotlight on Friday, admitting that seeing him score a header against Mamardashvili was completely unexpected.
“Kerkez’s headed goal would have been the last thing I expected, but I was very happy!” he said via Nemzeti Sport.
“He may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he always puts his heart and soul out there. When you win by one like that, you don’t need to explain it, it’s what everyone needs!”
The Hungarian outlet rated both Kerkez and Szoboszlai as 7/10s for their displays in the Nations League clash, with both players continuing to be key under manager Marco Rossi.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Liverpool DP
Liverpool DP
Photo by Claudio Villa - FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images
Photo by Claudio Villa - FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images