Milos Kerkez didn’t expect the step up to be quite this steep.
After arriving from Bournemouth in a £40million deal earlier this summer, the 21-year-old left-back has been struck by the intensity and professionalism at Liverpool’s training sessions.
He’s already learning what it takes to compete at the very top.
“Of course I know it is one of the biggest clubs in the world and when I came it just surprised me also how professional everything is and how high a level everything is,” Kerkez told Liverpool FC.
“And that you really have to work hard every single day to compete. It’s the highest level. That surprised me but it’s also what I was looking for, so I’m really happy.”
Now in Hong Kong preparing to face his former club AC Milan on Saturday, Kerkez is adjusting to the climate and the demands of life under Arne Slot.
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Kerkez on the step up in intensity since joining the Reds
Despite the heat, Kerkez says the training is only sharpening the squad for the new season.
“It has been really good,” he said.
“Intense – that’s how we like to train. We are adapting to the heat still but it’s good. All the guys train hard and we are getting really ready physically.”
Kerkez, who had a short spell with Milan earlier in his career, is eager for the reunion.
“Obviously I played there and trained a lot with the first team, know a lot of the guys. It will be fun and will be good also for me to get more minutes and get adapted more to my team-mates.”
Fans have already noticed Kerkez’s commitment, especially during a moment in the friendly against Preston when he attempted a clearing header while lying on the ground.
“Yeah I saw that! It was a foul even before that I think, but then I saw the referee was not giving anything. I lost balance and had to jump somewhere.
“I was closer to jump with my head! I got the ball. It’s me, you know, it’s how I play – I always give 100%.”
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