Milos Kerkez believes Andoni Iraola’s arrival at Liverpool could bring out the best in him after admitting that the new manager has already given him greater freedom to express himself on the pitch. The Hungarian defender previously worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and feels the Spaniard’s aggressive, energetic philosophy could help Liverpool rediscover some of the qualities that disappeared during Arne Slot’s difficult final season.

Iraola was appointed to lead Liverpool after Slot was dismissed earlier in the summer. The Dutch coach had endured a deeply disappointing second campaign at Anfield, prompting the club to make a managerial change. Liverpool subsequently turned to Iraola following his impressive three-year spell with Bournemouth.

One of Liverpool’s biggest problems last season was a noticeable decline in the intensity traditionally associated with the team. Their pressing became inconsistent, and they were often unable to apply sustained pressure when opponents had possession. Iraola, by contrast, has built his reputation around high-energy football, aggressive pressing and the development of younger players.

For Kerkez, the managerial appointment could be particularly significant.

The left-back knows Iraola’s methods extremely well after spending two seasons under him at Bournemouth. Kerkez subsequently completed a £40 million transfer to Liverpool, but his first season at Anfield did not develop as successfully as he had hoped. Now reunited with his former manager, he is confident that Iraola’s system can allow him to demonstrate his abilities more effectively.

Kerkez has already noticed a major difference in Liverpool’s approach. He explained that the team are being asked to play much more aggressively, particularly when they do not have the ball. The physical demands are significant because players must cover greater distances and constantly apply pressure.

Although that style can be exhausting, Kerkez believes it is necessary for a club with Liverpool’s ambitions. Teams competing for the Premier League and Champions League cannot afford to play without intensity, and Iraola wants his players to maintain an aggressive approach throughout matches.

The change appears to suit Kerkez especially well because of his attacking instincts.

Under Iraola, the Hungarian international has been encouraged to move up and down the left side with greater freedom. Instead of operating primarily as a conventional defender, he can push forward regularly, support attacks and deliver more crosses into dangerous areas.

Kerkez says that the new system requires considerably more running, but he welcomes the additional responsibility. He feels that Iraola trusts him to contribute at both ends of the pitch, something he also experienced during their time together at Bournemouth.

That existing relationship could make Kerkez one of the biggest beneficiaries of Liverpool’s managerial change. Iraola already understands the defender’s strengths and knows how to use his energy effectively.

The instructions are relatively straightforward in principle: Liverpool want to be proactive rather than reactive. They intend to play on the front foot, challenge opponents aggressively and recover possession as quickly as possible. Kerkez believes everyone in the squad must commit fully to those demands if the system is going to succeed.

His comments also provide an indication of what went wrong during Slot’s second season.

Liverpool have historically been associated with intense pressing and energetic football, but those characteristics became less consistent during the previous campaign. Their defensive pressure was sometimes disorganised, allowing opponents to escape too easily and attack Liverpool’s back line.

Iraola appears determined to restore that identity while adding his own tactical ideas.

The early signs have been encouraging, although Liverpool’s pre-season has not been entirely smooth. They suffered high-scoring defeats against Leeds and Monaco, results that highlighted some of the defensive problems Iraola still needs to solve before the competitive campaign begins.

Liverpool did, however, finish their preparations on a more positive note by beating Como 2-0. The victory provided a much-needed confidence boost before their opening league fixture away against Newcastle.

The clean sheet against Como was particularly important given the concerns surrounding Liverpool’s defence.

Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both completed 90 minutes in the full-back positions, while Jeremy Jacquet partnered Virgil van Dijk in central defence and produced an impressive performance.

Jacquet also scored, making his contribution even more encouraging as Liverpool assess their defensive options.

Kerkez was full of praise for his teammate. He highlighted Jacquet’s composure when in possession and his reliability defensively. The left-back was also impressed by the youngster’s confidence and aggressive style, qualities that he believes fit naturally with the type of football Liverpool want to play under Iraola.

The performance could prove important for Jacquet as he attempts to establish himself within the first-team squad.

Liverpool also used new signing Ronald Araujo during the second half. The defender replaced Jacquet and helped goalkeeper Alisson preserve the clean sheet, something Kerkez viewed as another encouraging development.

Kerkez was impressed by Araujo’s willingness to defend aggressively. The new arrival immediately became involved physically, making tackles and showing the assertiveness Iraola expects from his defenders.

For Liverpool, those defensive improvements will be essential if they are going to recover from last season’s disappointment.

The problems under Slot were not limited to individual defenders. The entire structure of the team became vulnerable when Liverpool’s press failed. If attacking players and midfielders could not apply effective pressure, opponents were able to progress toward the defence too easily.

Iraola’s system is designed to address that issue collectively.

Rather than asking defenders simply to sit deeper and absorb pressure, the Spaniard wants Liverpool to defend proactively. His players are expected to close space rapidly, challenge opponents and attempt to regain possession further up the pitch.

Such an approach inevitably carries risks. If the press is poorly coordinated, Liverpool could leave considerable space behind their defensive line. That may explain some of the problems they experienced during the defeats against Leeds and Monaco.

However, the victory over Como suggested that the players are beginning to understand the new requirements.

For Kerkez personally, the transition appears relatively straightforward because he has already spent two seasons learning Iraola’s philosophy.

The Hungarian defender knows the physical commitment required and understands when he is expected to advance. That familiarity could give him an advantage during the opening stages of the season.

His attacking freedom may also help Liverpool become more dangerous on the left side.

Modern full-backs are increasingly expected to contribute to attacking play, and Kerkez possesses the pace and energy necessary to repeatedly move forward. Under Iraola, he expects to deliver more balls into the penalty area and become more directly involved in creating opportunities.

The key will be balancing those attacking responsibilities with his defensive duties.

Liverpool cannot afford to become too exposed when their full-backs advance. Iraola will therefore need his midfielders and central defenders to provide appropriate cover whenever Kerkez or Frimpong pushes forward.

The encouraging performances of Jacquet, Van Dijk and Araujo against Como provide some reason for optimism.

Alisson’s clean sheet was also welcomed by Kerkez, who stressed how satisfying it is for defenders when they prevent opponents from scoring. He praised the Brazilian goalkeeper’s contribution and believes Liverpool now need to build on that defensive performance when competitive football begins.

The opening match against Newcastle will offer a much more serious examination of Iraola’s methods.

Playing away from home in the Premier League is significantly different from a pre-season friendly, and Liverpool’s players will need to demonstrate that they can maintain the intensity demanded by their new coach when the pressure increases.

Kerkez, however, appears optimistic.

His previous experience with Iraola has given him confidence that the manager can make a positive impact at Anfield. He has already seen how the Spaniard can improve individual players and create a team capable of playing aggressive, energetic football.

For Liverpool supporters, the hope will be that Iraola can restore the relentless intensity that has characterised some of the club’s most successful recent teams.

Slot’s difficult second campaign exposed several weaknesses, particularly when Liverpool attempted to press opponents. The team became less consistent, defensive vulnerabilities increased and their performances ultimately led to a change in management.

Iraola now has the responsibility of reversing that decline.

Kerkez’s early verdict suggests that the differences are already noticeable. Training and matches require more running, the team are expected to be aggressive without possession, and attacking players and defenders alike are being encouraged to play proactively.

Most importantly for Kerkez, he once again feels he has the freedom to use his greatest strengths.

After a challenging debut season at Liverpool, the left-back now has an opportunity to restart his Anfield career under a manager who knows him exceptionally well.

If Iraola can reproduce the confidence he gave Kerkez at Bournemouth while successfully implementing his high-energy philosophy throughout Liverpool’s squad, the Hungarian could become an important figure in the club’s attempt to return to the top.

The 2-0 victory over Como was only a pre-season result, but the clean sheet and improved defensive display represented a useful step forward. The real examination begins against Newcastle.

For Kerkez and his teammates, the message from Iraola is already clear: play aggressively, run harder, attack from the front foot and maintain the intensity required to compete with Europe’s strongest teams.

After the frustrations of last season, that philosophy could represent exactly the fresh start Liverpool need.