InterviewFabio Carvalho on Champions League excitement, opportunities and adaptation

The Reds will discover their 2022-23 group-stage opponents next Thursday during the draw in Istanbul, with the first round of fixtures scheduled to take place on September 6 and 7.

Carvalho is looking forward to the new experience of Europe's premier club competition, having made the switch to Anfield from Fulham in the summer.

"Alongside the Premier League, it's the best competition you can play in," the 19-year-old told the official matchday programme. "So yes, I'm really looking forward to that because I feel like that's everyone's dream as a little kid, to play in the Champions League.

"I've heard the Champions League nights here at Anfield are extra special, so I can't wait for that to come around."

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Carvalho has appeared as a substitute in all three of Liverpool's competitive fixtures so far this season.

The Portugal U21 international is determined to make the most of every opportunity afforded to him by Jürgen Klopp.

He continued: "There are going to be a lot of games and it's going to be a bit stop-start with the World Cup, so we'll just see what happens.

"I know that I need to be ready to play when needed and also to perform at the highest level. Everyone needs to be ready to perform to their best.

"To achieve what we want to achieve, we need to be able to do that, so everyone needs to be prepared and ready to go."

Carvalho moved to Merseyside after progressing through the youth ranks at Fulham, where he helped Marco Silva's outfit earn promotion to the Premier League in his final season.

His transfer saw him link up with close friend and former teammate Harvey Elliott once more.

"It's been sick!" he said of reuniting with the No.19. "We played for the same team growing up but we also went to the same school [Coombe Boys' School in New Malden], which is something that some people might not know. So me and him have been tight for a few years now, since a young age.

"It's good to be back with him and it's good to be playing football with him as well because that's something I really enjoy. He's a top player."

In addition to Elliott's guidance, Carvalho saw his adaptation into the squad aided by the traditional initiation night, held in Austria last month during the pre-season training camp.

Reliving the occasion, he revealed: "We had a few days where we went for food at the restaurant and then there was the initiation with the songs for the new lads which brought us closer, especially for me as I had to sing and so the lads were just laughing and joking.

"Things like that just bring the group together, even the young players who came with us as well. It just brings everyone closer.

"When I first came my nickname from the lads was Bruno Mars, which I've now said no to! So to stick to that little joke, though, I sang Bruno Mars' The Lazy Song. It was alright!"