Liverpool defender
The side has been forced to mount late rallies in recent fixtures against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, a trend that Kerkez is eager to reverse. While he acknowledged the fighting spirit inherent in the club, he maintained that relying on last-gasp heroics is not a sustainable strategy for a team with title ambitions.
Focus on Defensive Transitions and Tactical Discipline
In an interview regarding the team's preparations, Kerkez revealed that the squad has been utilizing video analysis and internal meetings to rectify their early-season defensive lapses. The focus, he noted, is on improving defensive transitions and ensuring better communication regarding positioning, particularly when deciding which players should commit to the attack and who must remain anchored at the back.
“We don’t want to come back from behind in every game; we want to start in a winning position from the beginning,” Kerkez explained. He emphasized that the goal is to remain compact as a unit and eliminate the easy opportunities that have allowed opponents to strike first. Despite the frustration of conceding early goals, he remains confident that the team’s quality will allow them to improve as the season progresses.
Adapting to Iraola’s System and Facing City
The defender also touched upon the transition under manager
Looking ahead to the upcoming clash with Manchester City, Kerkez acknowledged the scale of the challenge. Sitting sixth in the table, Liverpool are well aware of the threat posed by the league leaders. However, the defender remains optimistic, citing the competitive nature of the Premier League where any team can be beaten if preparation is not absolute. For Kerkez, the rivalry and the high stakes of the fixture represent the very reason he enjoys playing in England’s top flight, and he is determined to secure all three points for the supporters.
