Milos Kerkez is poised to face former club AC Milan in Hong Kong after £40m Liverpool transfer from Bournemout
Kerkez Blown Away by Liverpool’s Intensity
There’s a reason Liverpool dominated the Premier League last season — and Milos Kerkez is already finding that out firsthand.
The 21-year-old left-back joined the Reds from Bournemouth in a £40m deal earlier this summer. And now, as he trains with his new teammates in Asia, the levels have already shocked him.
Kerkez admits he didn’t expect just how demanding things would be behind the scenes at Anfield
> “I know it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “But I was still surprised by how professional and intense everything is.”
> “You have to work hard every single day just to compete. It’s the highest level. That surprised me — but it’s also what I was looking for.”
Getting Used to the Heat — And The Pressure
Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the Far East has them battling both heat and humidity. After arriving in Hong Kong, they’re preparing to face AC Milan — Kerkez’s old club — on Saturday
> “It’s been really intense — and that’s how we like it,” said Kerkez. “We’re still adapting to the heat, but everyone is training hard.”
> “When we get back to England, the lungs will open up! This will help us a lot physically.”
The next stop is Japan, where the Reds face Yokohama F. Marinos. But for Kerkez, the Milan reunion holds a bit more weight.
Facing His Former Club With a Point to Prove
Kerkez spent a season with AC Milan before moving to AZ Alkmaar, then Bournemouth. He even played against Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League.
> “It’ll be fun,” he smiled. “I trained a lot with Milan’s first team, I know a lot of the guys.”
> “It’s a good chance to get more minutes and build chemistry with my teammates here.”
“It’s Me, You Know — I Always Give 100%”
Kerkez is already winning over fans. In the 3-1 friendly win over Preston, he had social media buzzing after diving head-first for a clearance… while lying on the ground.
> “Yeah I saw that!” he laughed. “I lost balance and the ball was still there — I had to jump for something.”
> “I went for it with my head. That’s just me — I always give 100%.”