“We need to press quick” – Liverpool star drops hint on what to expect under Andoni Iraola

“We need to press quick” – Liverpool star drops hint on what to expect under Andoni Iraola Milos Kerkez Backs Andoni Iraola to Shape Dangerous Liverpool Ahead of Newcastle Test Liverpool enter the new Premier League season with a fresh coaching voice, a demanding tactical identity and a belief inside the squad that progress is already being made. Milos Kerkez has offered a revealing insight into how Andoni Iraola is reshaping the side, and why there is confidence that Liverpool can start strongly despite a summer of change. The left-back is well placed to assess the early impact. Having previously worked under Iraola before arriving at Anfield, Kerkez understands the detail, intensity and expectations that come with the new head coach’s approach. His view is clear, Liverpool are further along than many might expect at this stage of pre-season. “I think we are a lot better,” Kerkez told liverpoolfc.com . “Obviously it’s a new coach, a new philosophy, you need some time. Luckily we had him since the beginning of the pre-season, so it was good for the guys and they had more time.” Photo: IMAGO Iraola philosophy taking shape For Liverpool, the key message is that Iraola’s methods are already becoming visible on the pitch. Kerkez described a major tactical shift, particularly in how the team presses, regains possession and imposes itself higher up the pitch. The emphasis is on speed, aggression and control, with the ball and without it. “It’s totally different in terms of high press and front-footed football. We want to have the ball, so we need to press quick, need to take the ball fast away from the opponent and after that just play and keep the ball.” That description aligns closely with Iraola’s reputation. Liverpool want to compress space, recover the ball early and sustain pressure, all while retaining enough composure to dominate possession once control is established. It is a physically demanding model, but one the squad appears to be embracing. Kerkez also pointed to visible improvement across recent friendlies, suggesting the structure is becoming sharper with every outing. “I think the last two weeks, I would say Monaco and then against Como was even better. I hope against Newcastle we will be even better and ready.” Kerkez set for key Liverpool role Kerkez is expected to be Liverpool’s first-choice left-back and, with a year of Premier League and club adaptation behind him, this season feels significant. There is maturity in his outlook and clarity in his ambition. He wants to contribute consistently and help drive Liverpool across all four competitions. “Obviously motivated to do the best, also do the best with the team,” Kerkez continued. “Hopefully [we] win something soon – that’s what we play for. But I’m pretty calm for the fourth year (in England).” “Just be as best as I can to help the team [in] something that we are competing for. We have four competitions we need to compete for and I want to do the best in all four, help the team. Hopefully at the end it pays off with something.” Newcastle challenge to open Premier League season The first test comes away at Newcastle, a fixture that should provide an immediate measure of Liverpool’s readiness. St James’ Park remains one of the toughest opening-day assignments in the division, and Kerkez expects the early stages to be intense. “Great atmosphere, it’s a great stadium with great fans,” Kerkez, speaking about St James’ Park, added. “We expect the first whistle at the beginning of the game that for sure it will [be] explosive in the first 10, 15 minutes. After that obviously we want to be calmer, keep the ball and we need to get the result.” His broader message is that Liverpool’s focus must remain internal. Summer change has affected plenty of clubs, but Kerkez believes Liverpool’s ceiling under Iraola will depend on how quickly the group fully absorbs the new approach. “We have to focus more on ourselves because it’s new for the players, like you said, with the new manager and everything. “I know how the manager works, what he wants, but the guys need some time and I think now we just need to focus on ourselves. Because if we do that, how he wants us to play, we are really, really dangerous.”