Milos Kerkez has no concerns about handling the weight of expectation that accompanies representing Liverpool, as he revealed it was not him who picked his No.6 shirt at Anfield. The Reds splashed out £40million to Bournemouth for the Serbian-born Hungarian international left-back and the 21-year-old has noted the massive increase in intensity from his very first training session at his new club.
However, Kerkez maintains he's prepared for the test - courtesy of a childhood spent navigating the harsh realities of his hometown Vrbas and a footballing journey that has led him to Anfield following stints in Hungary, Italy and Holland after progressing through Serbian and Austrian youth systems. "For me, I don't feel pressure anywhere," declared Kerkez. "It's just go out and do your job. That's it. There's no pressure in that.
"For me, I grew up different. So I accept everything. It's not a problem for me. I grew up differently than other European kids. I'm from Serbia, so everything is different with us.
"When you ask me before about pressure and if you feel on the pitch. That's not pressure because when you play football, you can have a bad game but you still get paid. Pressure is when some families don't even have a meal to eat the next morning. That's what's called pressure.
"I have big ambitions, so I am happy that I'm now at a club like Liverpool because I can compete for things. When you play for this club, that is always the aim. But I always want to win, so for me it doesn't matter. It's normal, it's Liverpool - you have to win."
When questioned about any nerves on his debut day at the club, Kerkez dismissed the notion: "Me nervous? I was never nervous! I was really happy and I couldn't wait to get started. The intensity and the quality are higher and there are not many mistakes.
"When you hear the noise of the passes - boom, boom, boom - it's different. It's just the highest level of football and I'm really proud and happy that I'm here. I think I'm fitting in perfectly, so I think this is the best place to be.
"My brothers keep texting me and they're like 'you're a Liverpool player!' It's a big thing. Now it's only time to work more and do great stuff with this club."
Kerkez has chosen to wear the same No 6 shirt previously donned by left-back John Arne Riise at Anfield. He elaborated: "I have No 6 because of Arne Riiise - and because my brothers chose the number for me. I always let my brothers choose the numbers where I go to different teams.
"They were saying No 6 and I knew Arne Riise had worn that number, so I told them that it is a good number to continue.
"I watched a lot of the Premier League when I was growing up. I used to watch (Steven) Gerrard, I used to watch Arne Riise, Andy Robertson - and even (Cristiano) Ronaldo when he played."