Liverpool player makes worrying claim about Andoni Iraola tactic despite Ipswich Town win

Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez thinks his side must compromise as they cannot carry out Andoni Iraola's high-pressing tactic for 90 minutes.

The Reds secured their first clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Friday night, with Alexander Isak netting a brace at Portman Road.

Cody Gakpo provided both assists for Isak after Liverpool pulled the plug on his move to Manchester City, and Bradley Barcola also impressed on his debut following his £123million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

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Milos Kerkez says Liverpool find it hard to press for 90 minutes

Barcola set a Premier League record in 2026/27 for clocking the fastest top speed of 35.9km/h after coming onto the pitch for the final half an hour.

The 24-year-old offered incredible pace and link-up play down the left flank when Liverpool needed it most after another physically taxing ninety minutes in Iraola's high-pressing system.

It's a tactic the Spaniard is well-known for implementing at his previous clubs, doing so during his time at Bournemouth, and it appears his players are still getting used to it, including Milos Kerkez.

The Hungary international was brought to the Cherries by Iraola in 2023 from AZ Alkmaar and became one of the most important players in his system, offering energy and dynamism down the left before moving to Anfield in 2025.

Kerkez, therefore, knows all about the physical demands of the manager's system, and admits it's 'tough' to press how he wants for the full ninety minutes.

"When you press like us, it's a bit tough to do it for all the game and all the 90 minutes," the defender told Liverpool's official website.

"We can do it for the first 30 to 35 minutes and in some ways we can do that in the second half at the beginning – but then it's all about staying compact and talking to each other.

"That's what we also said we need to improve, and as defenders we are happy with the clean sheet. We defended pretty well their crosses and the set-pieces. Like I said, everyone was 100 per cent focused."

Liverpool were much improved defensively against the newly-promoted side, but there were a few lapses in concentration, and if Ipswich had their shooting boots on, perhaps the outcome would have been closer.

Kerkez was also asked about whether Iraola's style was coming across on the pitch, and he replied: "Yes, definitely. I think everyone felt better on the pitch and I think myself also when I look at it I'm getting more into the play and better.

"Obviously it's a clean sheet, particularly away we know it's tough in the Premier League everywhere. We're happy but we can't celebrate too much – now games come every three days and it's onto the next."

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Andoni Iraola praises Alexander Isak

A victory over Ipswich is the start of a gruelling fixture run where Liverpool play three times in seven days, starting on Tuesday with a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid before hosting Fulham in the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.

Iraola will need all of his players fit and firing before the mid-September international break, including Isak, who the Spaniard was quick to praise after his well-taken brace on Friday.

"Yes, with Alex, if he's fit, if he's available, if he's in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers," he said. "My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably. It will be about other things; I will demand other things so we can play well, and if we play well, we are in good positions; the goals will come.

"I think he has to contribute to the collective, and when everyone helps, I think after the goals and the other stuff will come.

Like everyone in his squad, the 44-year-old wants Isak contributing to the collective as much as possible, and that includes pressing ferociously out of possession and doing the dirty work.

The Swede certainly worked hard against Ipswich, and he must keep up that intensity to continue impressing his manager.