Milos Kerkez has declared Liverpool ready for the Premier League battle, with the Reds’ attention now firmly fixed on a difficult opening-day trip to Newcastle United.
Liverpool completed their pre-season schedule with a convincing 2-0 victory over Como 1907 at Anfield on Sunday.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring before new signing Jeremy Jacquet marked his Liverpool debut with a first-half goal, giving Andoni Iraola’s team the perfect platform to build momentum before competitive football begins.
The visit to St James’ Park will be Iraola’s first competitive match as Liverpool head coach, and Kerkez admits the squad are already counting down to kick-off.
The Hungary international believes beating Como was important because Liverpool needed to enter the new campaign with confidence.
“We said we need to get the win, to get that positive mentality going into the next week. So, we did good, clean sheet, good for the defenders, and yeah, we’re happy.
“We have still some work to be more defensively set up, more help obviously from the wingers, but it’s going to come next week.”
The clean sheet was particularly encouraging for Liverpool’s defenders, although Kerkez knows there is still work to do before facing Newcastle.
The 21-year-old also completed his first 90 minutes of pre-season, another important step towards full match sharpness.
After having time to recharge following last season, Kerkez says he is feeling prepared for the intensity that awaits.
“Yeah, I feel ready. [This] is the first time I played 90 minutes [this summer], I felt a bit [my] legs at I would say 70-something [minutes], but it’s good to get the whole 90 minutes.
“I had a lot [of time] to recharge [after last season] but honestly I started to train after, I will say, two or three weeks. I missed training, so it’s good to be back [and] recharged.”
Getting 90 minutes into the legs was also important for several Liverpool players, particularly with Newcastle presenting an immediate test of their fitness and mentality.
“For sure. A lot of guys needed 90, [we] need to be ready for Premier League intensity next week. You know how it is, especially at Newcastle away, so it was good that a lot of guys got 90 minutes, definitely.”
One of the biggest changes for Kerkez has been the freedom he has been given under Iraola.
The defender previously worked with the Spanish coach at Bournemouth, and their relationship could now prove valuable as Liverpool look to implement an aggressive style.
“You can see I have more freedom to fly up and down. I’m really running more, with more freedom, putting more balls into the box.
“So, the manager gave me confidence when I was in Bournemouth… [and] we all have to do what he tells us to do: play aggressive, front-foot, so we need to continue.”
That attacking responsibility could make Kerkez an important weapon for Liverpool this season.
The full-back will be expected to contribute defensively while also providing width, energy and deliveries in the final third.
Kerkez believes Liverpool’s new approach will demand intensity, but insists that is the price of competing at the highest level.
“Yeah, everyone hopes so. It’s a big difference, obviously we play really aggressive [and] we need to run a lot more.
“It is tough but if you want to compete at the top, you need to do that in the Champions League, in the Premier League. So, we are more ready, everyone can’t wait until the season starts next week.”
And there is no hiding Kerkez’s excitement about returning to St James’ Park.
Having experienced the atmosphere as a Bournemouth player, he knows exactly what Liverpool will be walking into.
“Yeah, I can remember last season how it was – [a] big difference for me when you play [for] Bournemouth at Newcastle and Liverpool at Newcastle.
“I can’t wait, really, [and] I think my teammates also can’t wait. It’s a brilliant atmosphere there… first game [and] we need to get the three points, definitely.”
The 2-0 win over Como has given Liverpool a positive finish to pre-season, but Newcastle will provide a completely different challenge.
For Iraola, it will be the beginning of the competitive journey.
For Kerkez and his teammates, it will be an early opportunity to show whether their new-look approach can deliver when the stakes are real.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
