Milos Kerkez shows what Liverpool players can expect from Andoni Iraola influence

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But if there's one Reds squad member who knows what to expect from the Basque, it's Milos Kerkez.Kerkez spent two years working with Iraola at Bournemouth, where improving performances earned the left-back a place in the Premier League team of the year in 2024/25 and a subsequent £40million transfer to Anfield last summer.As the long-term replacement for Liverpool legend Andy Robertson, Kerkez was among several players to suffer a difficult start to the season as the Reds adjusted to a much-changed side after a near-£450m splurge on new signings having won the Premier League crown.Come Christmas, though, Kerkez had started to find his feet, and started all four Champions League knockout games having been used sparingly during the opening stage.And it was ahead of Liverpool's visit to Bournemouth towards the end of January that Iraola noted the change in his former defender."The other day I saw him with confidence, pushing forward, very good defensively and sometimes when you sign for one of these big clubs, you need this period of adaptation," said the then Cherries boss."I think the more time he plays, the more games he starts, the better Milos we will see. I think now he's with the same confidence, probably that he was here with us."I'm sure he will be a very good signing for Liverpool and he's also a great guy, full of energy.

We miss him a lot."Not just in the footballing side, just personally, he gives a lot of energy to the dressing room, and I'm sure he will be very good for Liverpool."Kerkez has readily admitted to having his eyes opened during the opening weeks at Liverpool having made the step up from the South Coast - a gap Iraola himself will learn to bridge over the coming weeks and months."The first two or three months were a bit tough in terms of playing style, playing lots of games," he said to ESPN in April. I'm happy now that I've found my place more and I can play consistently and give consistent performances."That said, Kerkez found himself on the bench for six of Liverpool's last nine Premier League games with Robertson having been preferred.

But with the Scotland international now departing on a free transfer, the opening is there for Kerkez to grasp the position with both hands.And in an interview with The Athletic while still a Bournemouth player in March 2025, the 22-year-old outlined the impact Iraola has had on shaping his game.“I had to work on my defensive awareness, to not switch off," said the Hungary international. I’m really thankful he has trusted me.”Now it appears Kerkez won't be the only Liverpool player to benefit from Iraola's influence.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!