Milos Kerkez has extra Champions League motivation after beating Galatasaray

Milos Kerkez starred as Liverpool beat Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield to reach the Champions League quarterfinals, with the defender now eyeing a final in Budapest

Milos Kerkez is eyeing up the Champions League final(Image: Getty Images)

Milos Kerkez is of the view that Liverpool has established the blueprint for the rest of the season as he sets his sights on a Champions League final in his adopted homeland of Hungary.

Kerkez was a standout player as the Reds overturned a first-leg deficit to thrash Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday, setting up a quarterfinal clash next month against Paris Saint-Germain. Although the left-back was born and brought up in Serbia, he relocated to Hungary at the age of 15 and subsequently committed to the country's national team, earning 29 caps to date.

With the Champions League final scheduled for the Puskas Arena in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on May 30, Kerkez has an added motivation to help Liverpool reach its 11th European Cup final.

"We talk about it, but let's see," he said. "I think it would be special. I think just take it game by game.

"If we play like (against Galatasaray) with this mentality, with this courage and with everything, I think we're a really good team and a really tough team to beat. It would be special, wouldn't it?"

Regarding PSG, Kerkez noted: "We know they're the champions and they won it last year.

Liverpool beat Galatasaray on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)

"A great team, but obviously we're looking forward to it, but we know we have to pick up points in the Premier League, so we're already looking forward for Brighton (on Saturday)."

Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead on Wednesday with the opening goal against Galatasaray, his 12th of the season and fifth in the Champions League.

And of his fellow Hungary international, Kerkez said: "He's top, he's top. Good confidence and he gives us a lot. You see when he runs and when he presses.

"He just takes all the guys with him and then he does it all, doesn't he? He's really important for us, so I hope he keeps going."

Kerkez was also hugely impressed by the Anfield atmosphere that helped Liverpool complete its first comeback in a two-legged European tie since Barcelona was famously beaten in 2019.

Speaking to liverpoofc.com, he continued: "We had lots of chances, but we defended really well and didn't give much away. After that, in the second half, it was also chance after chance, so we executed the plan perfect. It was a great night.

"The mentality and the energy was unbelievable from every player. We did much better things with the second balls, with the duels, and with the fast attack.

"Then you get the fans going, and the fans get us going. I never felt this Champions League night, and it was really special for me. I'm really proud of all the boys. I'm grateful that I could feel it and experience it."