Andoni Iraola has quickly got to work in his first week at AXA Training Centre. Mostly due to the World Cup, the new Liverpool head coach is largely working with academy players and returning loaness ahead of the Reds trio of pre season fixtures in the United States.
However, there are a few established stars, one of whom is Miloš Kerkez.
The Hungarian international spoke to the club's official website on Wednesday, outlining his excitement about being reunited with a coach he knows very well.
Kerkez and Iraola's Bournemouth Reunion
"I’m really happy they’re here. I think we had really great times together in Bournemouth and when I saw that he [Iraola] was coming... I was obviously really happy."
When Iraola first arrived at Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, one of his very first new recruits was Kerkez. The Hungarian had enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign with AZ Alkmaar, but the jump from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is still a sizeable one.
Nevertheless, he quickly established himself as one of the best full-backs in the division, making 74 appearances for Iraola, by far the most of any coach in the 22 year old's young career. After two years on the South Coast, named in the PFA Team of the Year, he joined Liverpool for £50 million, almost three times what the Cherries paid for his signature, and would credit Iraola for his rapid rise.
Iraola’s tactical fit for Liverpool
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.
"Andoni with the playing style, with the energy and how he wants his team to play. I think it suits Liverpool... it’s going to be really exciting... he likes to play direct, high, front-foot, and I think that’s perfect also for me"
Following May's miserable 4-2 defeat at Villa Park, the now departed Mohamed Salah called for Liverpool to "go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear". Well, even though the Egyptian's time at the club is now over, he appears to have got his wish.
As noted by Kerkez, key to Iraola's playing style is high-energy, high-pressing front-foot football. Bournemouth regularly ranked towards the top when it came to Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA), so the Spaniard appears to be the perfect man to take the Reds back to the style that brought about plenty of success under Jürgen Klopp, and suits many of the players they have.
Kerkez looks ahead to pre-season
"I’m really happy to be back. I think vacation was a bit too long for me, to be honest. I missed training, I missed the ball, so I’m really happy to be here... we are focused and working towards the new season."
On top of this, Kerkez added that, after three weeks on holiday, he was desperate to get back on the pitch, most-recently in action during Hungary's friendly victory over Finland at the Puskás Aréna on 5 June. Well, considering the limited options at Iraola's disposal for now, he is likely to play a key part in pre-season, as well as once the competitive action commences in August.
The Reds will head stateside for a trio of friendlies starting next weekend, facing Sunderland in Nashville on 25 July, Wrexham in New York City and then Leeds in Chicago. If Liverpool are going to enjoy a successful campaign, Kerkez is likely to be a key figure for Iraola.
Add us as a preferred source on Google