Interview'What more can you want?' - Harvey Elliott on touring Asia with Reds in pre-season

The lifelong Liverpool fan is part of Jürgen Klopp's 37-man squad that arrived in Bangkok on Sunday for the first leg of their Asia tour, where they will face Manchester United at Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday before heading to Singapore.

Motivated for more opportunities in the XI, Elliott revealed he had been working hard throughout the off-season in order to hit the ground running as the Reds prepare to go again in 2022-23.

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Speaking after the team’s first training session in the Thai capital, the 19-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com: "I feel like I've worked a lot harder this pre-season, especially knowing how big of a season it is.

"But at the same time, I took my rest as well to make sure I wasn't over-doing myself and over-working myself. So, I think I had that good mix there and when I was training, I was training as hard as I could and making sure I had a day or a few days' rest to relax and let my body recover.

"So, I think I had that good balance and I feel as best as ever coming into this pre-season physically, mentally. With everything to come, I feel like it's going to be a great pre-season.

"Touring around the world is one thing but touring around the world with Liverpool and playing for the team and playing in front of the fans again all around the world, I mean, what more can you want to do this pre-season?

"I'm just so excited and hopefully we can top off a great pre-season as well as a great season."

Liverpool's new No.19 enjoyed a strong start to last season before a serious ankle injury halted his encouraging progress.

Regardless, he finished 2021-22 with 11 appearances in all competitions and Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup winner's medals.

"I mean, last season didn't really go the way I wanted it to go, with the injury and stuff, but we still had a successful season as a team and that's all that matters really," Elliott said.

"I was there supporting, helping my teammates out if needed and playing if needed, and doing my best to get in the team again. I think this season is definitely a bigger one in that case. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can just do everything right again to get back into the team.

"I know it's not going to be easy. We've got new, outstanding players coming into the team, so it's more competition. But I'm ready for the competition and ready to help my teammates and be a team player if needed.

"I'm so looking forward to it and hopefully we can have the same success again this season, if not make it a lot better."

The Reds' options have been strengthened this summer with the arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho.

Elliott is excited and knows all about the latter, having played with the Portugal youth international during their time at Fulham's academy.

"We've had a few chats and he's asked me a few questions and stuff," Elliott finished. "He's a great kid as well as a great player and hopefully we get to see it in a couple of days' time.

"I can't say enough about him. I've said it so many times, I'll just let him do the talking – which I'm sure he will do.

"He's buzzing to be here, he's fit in really well with the boys. I've done what I could to help him but, to be honest, I didn't really need to help him. He's just fit in and everyone's taken to him already. What a player, by the way.

"So yeah, we have a true superstar on our hands to say the least and I can't wait to just share the pitch with him and, like the old times, play alongside him, which will be good."