Kerkez demands more from Liverpool after Ipswich Town victory

Liverpool finally have their first Premier League win of the season, but Milos Kerkez is already looking beyond the celebrations.

The Reds opened their league account with a convincing 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road, with Alexander Isak scoring twice inside the opening stages.

Liverpool also secured their first clean sheet of the campaign, giving Arne Slot’s side plenty of positives to take from a controlled away performance.

But Kerkez knows the luxury of celebrating for too long is gone.

Liverpool are about to enter a brutal run of fixtures, starting with Atletico Madrid’s Champions League visit to Anfield on Wednesday night.

That match will be followed by two more home games across different competitions, meaning the Reds face three matches in seven days.

For Kerkez, the message is simple: enjoy the victory, learn from it and move on.

The Liverpool left-back was impressed with the intensity his team showed from the opening whistle against Ipswich and believes it addressed some of the weaknesses seen during their opening two league matches.

“It’s really nice. I think we were in the game since the first minute. It’s what we talked [about] in the first two games [that] we need to do better. I think we did that outstanding. Obviously Alex is starting to score and I hope that continues. I’m happy with the boys and overall how aggressive we went.”

Isak’s early double provided Liverpool with the platform to control the game, but maintaining that intensity for 90 minutes was never going to be straightforward.

Kerkez explained that Liverpool’s pressing demands enormous energy, making defensive organisation and communication crucial once the initial intensity drops.

“When you press like us, it’s a bit tough to do it for all the game and all the 90 minutes. We can do it for the first 30 to 35 minutes and in some ways we can do that in the second half at the beginning – but then it’s all about staying compact and talking to each other. That’s what we said also that we need to improve, and as defenders we are happy with the clean sheet. We defended pretty well their crosses and the set-pieces. Like I said, everyone was 100 per cent focused.”

The clean sheet could prove particularly important.

Liverpool have been working to establish greater defensive consistency, and Kerkez believes the performance showed signs that the team’s tactical approach is beginning to click.

The defender also admitted he is becoming increasingly comfortable within the system.

“Yes, definitely. I think everyone felt better on the pitch and I think myself also when I look at it I’m getting more into the play and better. Obviously it’s a clean sheet, particularly away we know it’s tough in the Premier League everywhere. We’re happy but we can’t celebrate too much – now games come every three days and it’s onto the next.”

That final message sums up Liverpool’s immediate challenge.

The Ipswich victory was important, but the Reds cannot afford to become complacent with Atletico Madrid waiting at Anfield.

Kerkez is also adapting to different attacking combinations on Liverpool’s left side. He has developed a stronger understanding with Cody Gakpo, while new arrivals such as Bradley Barcola bring another dimension to the attack.

“It’s your job to adapt. That’s why we have training sessions. I think with Cody [Gakpo] this year we understand each other a lot better. I think when Bradley [Barcola] came in we had good actions – I nearly gave him a pass through that was nice. But we’re getting the understanding every day in training. We need to just keep going.”

Liverpool now have momentum.

They have their first league win, their first clean sheet and Isak is off the mark with a decisive brace.

But the real test starts now.

With Atletico Madrid next and matches arriving every three days, Liverpool must prove they can maintain the standards Kerkez praised at Portman Road.

The celebrations can wait. The next challenge is already coming.