Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez has been a standout performer for Liverpool, showcasing his impressive development in recent matches. The 22-year-old left-back’s recent performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 Champions League victory against Marseille has drawn attention, particularly as he prepares to return to his former club, Bournemouth, at the Vitality Stadium. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Kerkez’s resilience and adaptability, which have been crucial to his success in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Arne Slot said: “I have a lot of respect for these players. For Milos, for example, he had to adjust to the Premier League and to add the Champions League to that. And then you have to stay fit. You also have to adapt to new standards. I’m not sure if there has been research but usually when a team doesn’t do so well, there are a lot of injuries. We don’t have a lot of injuries. I talk about that I have to adapt but that is not because I have a lot. We only have three long-term injuries but the rest are almost constantly fit (touch wood). They have had a period where things have gone against them individually and collectively.”
Slot continued: “Everyone at the club was aware of this. If you make changes, transition can be a part of that. But after the first six games, we had a different idea. But looking where we are now, I don’t think anyone sees it as a surprise that we needed a bit of time to adjust. I have said this 150 times, I feel as if I say it every day: some players needed time to adjust.”
He added: “Giovanni Leoni was injured straight away. We had 10 minutes of the Alex (Isak) we thought we were getting at Tottenham. That was the first time we had seen him – then he was out. If you take that all into account, if I have to use one word for this season then it is ‘adaptation’. Every single time, it feels like something happens -‘s***, I haven’t got a full-back!’ or ‘who am I going to play there?’ or ‘we don’t have a winger’ – it is a constant adaptation to things we have had during the season. They are young but they are also very good.”
Kerkez was one of seven significant signings made by Liverpool in the summer, a period that also saw several key players depart. This transition phase was expected to bring challenges, but Slot emphasized that the team’s current position is not surprising given the adjustments needed. The manager has consistently highlighted the importance of adaptation, both for individual players and the team as a whole. Despite these challenges, Slot remains optimistic about the team’s progress and the potential for further improvement.
Slot concluded: “I have tried to show the players individually and as a team that results are always the most important thing in football and what we need to improve to get those results as well. But I have showed that the performances have been much better than the outside world (thinks). That is not to say there are not things that we have to improve. But that was the same last season as well. Maybe last season you show more the things that don’t go well. Both situations take a lot of man-management. Man-management is always one of the main things. People think about tactics but man-management is the one that is by far (the most important).”
As Liverpool continues to navigate the challenges of the season, Slot’s focus on adaptation and man-management remains central to the team’s strategy. Kerkez’s development is a testament to the effectiveness of this approach, and the club will be hoping for continued success as the season progresses.
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