Andy Robertson's message to Milos Kerkez that helped Liverpool star impress in first derby
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Milos Kerkez has revealed the Andy Robertson pep talk that helped him star for Liverpool in Saturday's Merseyside derby win over Everton.
The Premier League champions beat their neighbours 2-1 at Anfield thanks to first-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, despite Idrissa Gueye scoring a consolation shortly before the hour mark of the 247th meeting between the clubs.
Kerkez enjoyed a productive afternoon on his derby debut, largely keeping Everton dangerman Iliman Ndiaye subdued while also contributing to a number of attacks to help Arne Slot's side maintain their 100% start to the campaign.
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Kerkez, a £40m arrival from Bournemouth in the summer transfer window, is competing for minutes with the long-serving Robertson, whose importance to the squad was formally recognised by Slot recently giving him the vice captaincy following Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit.
And while Scotland skipper Robertson faces his biggest test yet to keep his place in the Liverpool side with the capture of Kerkez, the Hungary international has explained what his more experienced colleague said to him ahead of the win over David Moyes's Toffees.
"The relationship is really good," Kerkez said.
Then after the game he congratulated me and told me that I should keep going like that.
"We are good.
He's pushing me, I'm pushing him and I think that's important to have in a big club like this.
"Like I say, I'm playing a bit different so I'm adapting to that.
That was also from what the coach wanted me to do so like I said, I'm just going to do what he tells me in every game.
"With Virgil (van Dijk), I think I'm building a good connection.
Obviously we are now playing more and I think we are defending well.
"Everyone is adapting to each other, even Flo (Florian Wirtz) and Alex (Alexander Isak) and everyone who arrived so everything needs a bit of time to gel in.
That was also what the coach wanted me to do so like I said, I'm just going to do what he tells me in every game."