Liverpool F.C. Defender Milos Kerkez has made a candid admission about the physical demands of manager Andoni Iraola's high-pressing system. Speaking after the Reds' 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, Kerkez stated the squad cannot maintain the intense style for an entire 90 minutes.
Alexander Isak's early double, assisted both times by Cody Gakpo, secured the three points and a first clean sheet of the season. New signings Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, and Ronald Araujo all featured, with the £123 million man Barcola making his debut.
Kerkez, who played under Iraola at Bournemouth before joining Liverpool, offered a frank assessment of the tactical approach. "When you press like us, it's a bit tough to do it for all the game and all the 90 minutes," the defender said. He outlined the team's current capacity, explaining the pressing is most effective in specific phases.
"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," Kerkez added. He praised the defensive unit's communication and focus during the Ipswich match, particularly in dealing with crosses and set-pieces. The defender noted that securing a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League is always a difficult achievement.
The Liverpool manager expressed his satisfaction with the performance. Iraola said the victory was needed and that the players executed the game plan well, especially in the opening period. He pointed out that the team learned from conceding early goals in the previous two fixtures and aimed to apply pressure from the first whistle against Ipswich.
Iraola acknowledged the team controlled the game and defended solidly in the second half, though he noted a drop in offensive threat after the break. The overall display, which yielded a 2-0 win, left him pleased.
The fixture list remains congested, a point Kerkez emphasized by saying the team cannot celebrate too much with games coming every three days. The focus now shifts to European competition. Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign with a home match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Following that, attention returns to the Premier League and a home fixture against Fulham on September 12. The subsequent match is a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham on September 15.
The summer brought significant change, with the departure of manager Arne Slot and the exits of sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG chief Michael Edwards. Andoni Iraola's appointment signalled a shift towards a high-energy, pressing identity. Kerkez's comments reveal the ongoing physical adaptation required from the squad to implement this style successfully in England's top flight.
The defender also shared that he is feeling more comfortable on the pitch and getting more involved in play under Iraola's methods. With new signings bedding in and the tactical system being refined, the win at Ipswich represents an important early step. Liverpool's next challenge is to maintain their defensive solidity while handling a demanding schedule that includes European football.
