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And Milos Kerkez has already had his eyes opened about what it takes to produce such consistently high levels of performance at an elite level.

Kerkez, who made a £40million move from Bournemouth earlier in the summer, is with the Reds squad as they prepare for the first game of their Far East tour in Hong Kong against his former club AC Milan on Saturday.

And the left-back admits to being taken aback by the standard and intensity of the training session since he began working with his new team-mates.



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“Of course I know it is one of the biggest clubs in the world and when I came it just surprised me also how professional everything is and how high a level everything is,” he said.

“And that you really have to work hard every single day to compete.

That surprised me but it’s also what I was looking for, so I’m really happy.”

Arne Slot's squad have had to adapt to the heat and humidity during their time in Asia, the second leg of which sees them travel to Japan for a game against Yokohama F Marinos next Wednesday.

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“It has been really good,” said Kerkez.

We are adapting to the heat still but it’s good, all the guys train hard and we are getting really ready physically.

“I think it will help definitely, when we get back to England then the lungs will open.

So, I think it will help us a lot and we will get back really ready.”

Kerkez spent a season at AC Milan - featuring against Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League - before moving to AZ Alkmaar and then spending two years at Bournemouth before the Reds came calling.

And of a reunion with the Serie A side, the 21-year-old added: “Obviously I played there and trained a lot with the first team, know a lot of the guys.

“It will be fun and will be good also for me to get more minutes and get adapted more to my team-mates.

I’m looking forward to it – it’s my old team and I have good memories there.”

Kerkez has already caught the eye with his all-action display in the second half of the 3-1 friendly win at Preston North End earlier this month, with fans on social media particularly impressed by one moment where the Hungary international attempted to make a clearing header while on the floor.

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“Yeah I saw that!" he said to liverpoolfc.com.

It’s me, you know, it’s how I play – I always give 100%."


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