“It’s the first time for me that I play every three days,” Milos Kerkez told Liverpool’s official website about adapting to the demands in the first season at his new club.
“I’m still getting used to it but at the end of the day it’s the coach’s decision and you cannot go against it.
“Obviously I have here Robbo [Andy Robertson] next to me who is a great player and a big name here and did big things at the club. We are pushing each other a lot. It’s a positive competition and I’m learning a lot from him.
“Everyone wants to play everything, especially me, but it’s a coach’s decision always and, of course, it’s good for the legs to take rest and take care of the injuries. I feel good.
“Especially me, I always like to compete and show the best version of myself.
“I think it’s always important and especially to have competition like Robbo. You have to always – if you’re playing good, if you have competition like that – you have to continue to do good.
“You know if you don’t have competition then maybe it’s possible playing top and you start to drop and then you need someone to pick you back up again. I think it’s really important.
“It’s Liverpool, so there’s a lot of games and you need only the best players here. That’s what we have.”
Kerkez has played far more often this season, starting 12 out of 15 Premier League games so far, despite questions over his performances for his new club.
Kerkez has opened up about his relationship with Andy Robertson and the competitive environment at Liverpool, insisting that the battle for places is only pushing him to improve as a player.
“Obviously I have Robbo [Andy Robertson] next to me, who is a great player and a big name here,” Kerkez said. “He’s done incredible things for this club and achieved so much. For me, being able to train and compete with someone like that every day is massive. We push each other a lot, and it’s a very positive competition. I’m learning a lot from him, both on and off the pitch.”
The Hungarian international admitted that while every player wants to be on the pitch as much as possible, he understands the importance of squad management and the demands of the modern game.
“Everyone wants to play everything — especially me,” he added. “But at the end of the day, it’s always the coach’s decision. With so many games, it’s also important to rest your legs and take care of your body to avoid injuries. Right now, I feel good physically and mentally.”
Kerkez also emphasized his personal mentality, describing himself as a natural competitor who is always striving to reach a higher level.
“I always like to compete and show the best version of myself,” he said. “That’s just how I am. I want to improve every day, every training session, every match.”
According to the full-back, having strong competition in his position is essential to maintaining consistency and hunger.
“I think it’s always important, especially when you have competition like Robbo,” Kerkez explained. “If you’re playing well but you have someone like that pushing you, you know you can’t relax. You have to keep performing at a high level.”
He warned that a lack of competition can sometimes lead to complacency.
“If you don’t have competition, maybe you play well for a while and then your level drops,” he said. “That’s when you need someone to push you again, to lift you back up. Competition keeps everyone sharp, and I think that’s really important.”
Kerkez concluded by highlighting the standards required at Anfield, pointing to Liverpool’s demanding schedule and elite expectations.
“This is Liverpool,” he said. “There are a lot of games, a lot of pressure, and you need only the best players here. That’s what we have in this squad.”
Despite ongoing questions over some of his performances following his move to the club, Kerkez has remained a key figure this season, starting 12 of Liverpool’s 15 Premier League matches so far — a clear sign of the trust placed in him and his growing role within the team.