Kerkez Shines in Liverpool Debut as Reds Begin Slot Era with 3-1 Win
Liverpool kicked off the Arne Slot era with a 3-1 pre-season victory over Preston North End, marked by the debut of new signing Milos Kerkez and a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota, whose recent passing cast a shadow over the return to action.
Goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo sealed a confident win for the Reds. Kerkez, who joined from Bournemouth, came on during a sweeping half-time substitution and impressed in his first outing for the club.
After the match, the 21-year-old Hungarian left-back posted on Instagram:
“We stay together, we are Liverpool!”
Fellow Hungarian and Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai responded with a red heart emoji in a show of solidarity.
Slot used the friendly to test depth and youth, with promising academy players Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha getting minutes. But it was a night to remember for Kerkez, both emotionally and in terms of performance.
Kerkez arrives following a standout season at Bournemouth, where he scored twice and assisted five times in 38 Premier League games. His attacking energy and tenacity have fans already seeing him as a potential successor to Andy Robertson on the left flank.
As Liverpool continues shaping its squad for the new campaign, Kerkez’s arrival signals ambition. Meanwhile, rising talent Kareem Ahmed is reportedly close to signing a new deal—highlighting the club’s dual focus on the present and the future.
