Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez has described the unexpected dismissal of manager Arne Slot as a shock to the players, coming at a critical time late in the season. Slot was relieved of his duties on May 30, just as many squad members were preparing for the upcoming World Cup.

Kerkez, who joined Liverpool from Bournemouth last year and secured the left-back position with 34 Premier League appearances, recounted how he learned of Slot’s sacking while in Serbia. “I really didn’t know,” he said. “I was sleeping and my brother woke me up. Nobody knew. I couldn’t believe it.” The player has since been in contact with Slot, exchanging a few messages following the announcement.

Slot’s second season in charge saw Liverpool’s defense of their Premier League title collapse, with the club finishing fifth, 25 points behind champions Arsenal. The squad experienced inconsistent form throughout the campaign, with moments of recovery offset by setbacks. Liverpool’s struggles contributed to key changes in the squad, including Andy Robertson’s departure to Tottenham.

Looking ahead under incoming manager Andoni Iraola, Kerkez emphasized the need for improved performances and higher standards. “Last season was tough for everyone,” he said. “When you are here, you need to play to win things. We had tough moments, moments when we fought back, and then tough moments again. It wasn’t good for our standards but we need to improve this year.” The player expressed optimism about learning from a difficult season and building on those experiences moving forward.