DEFENDER Milos Kerkez agreed with his manager’s assessment of Cherries’ subdued first-half performance in a 2-0 victory over Stoke City, stating it had been a “little bit of a sloppy start”.

Goals at the start of the second half from Dominic Solanke and Joe Rothwell steered Cherries past the Potters and into the fourth round.

Kerkez played the full 90 minutes in his eighth appearance for the club since joining from AZ Alkmaar in the summer.

Discussing the match, Kerkez told the Daily Echo: “A little bit of a sloppy start, I believe.

“We didn’t start well in the first half, didn’t keep the ball so much.

“We were not really calm. But later, after 30, 35 minutes, we got more into the game.”

With Lloyd Kelly out injured, it appears that Kerkez will have to start against Arsenal as Cherries’ only fit senior left back.

That would be his third start in seven days, but the Hungarian international relishes the challenge and believes Cherries’ medical staff will leave him in perfect stead come Saturday.

He explained: “It’s good.

“Sometimes it’s tough, but we have a perfect medical team and they take really good care of us.

“Now, recovery and ready for Saturday.”

An infectious personality at Vitality Stadium, Kerkez previously stated that he felt he had been at the club for “four or five years”, due to how integrated he is into the Cherries set up.

Cherries’ treatment room has been busy to start the season, with a host of players rehabbing from a variety of injuries.

Kerkez is not one of the squad who requires medical attention, but often finds himself popping in to the treatment room.

The Hungarian’s visits are so frequent that a sign outside the room has been amended to read: ‘No Milos in treatment room. Ever!’

Asked about the sign, Kerkez replied: “I don’t think it’s the medical team – maybe it was some player!

“I like to be there, I’m going a lot around. It’s nice.

“Maybe sometimes I’m too loud, but they like it. It’s just a joke.”

Cherries’ reward for defeating Stoke was to be matched up with Liverpool in the fourth round.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have already inflicted one defeat upon Cherries this term, a 3-1 defeat at Anfield back in August.

Kerkez admitted that the draw could have been kinder but feels that home advantage could have an impact.

“It’s a tough one, of course,” continued the teenager.

“But we are at home and it’s always better to play at home than play away, especially at Anfield.

“Everything is possible in 90 minutes.

“It’s going to be a tough one but it’s the cup and anything is possible."