Harvey Elliott looked sharp in his first appearance of Liverpool’s pre-season campaign this summer.
The 22-year-old enjoyed extended time off following his starring role in England’s victory at the U21 European Championship in June.
He rejoined the Reds’ squad for their Asia tour and started Saturday’s match against AC Milan in Hong Kong.
“It’s always hard to get the balance of how much time you have off, how much time you really put into training,” Elliott told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“I was away with the Euros for four-and-a-half weeks and it was very demanding. We had a game every two, three days and it was really tough. The heat out there, the temperature was also very high – 30, 35 degrees sometimes in some games. It was a very long season.
“I feel sharp now, stepping out on the pitch today. I didn’t really know how I’d feel. But at half-time when we came off, I felt like I could go on and still go on and try to influence the game.
“It’s just about me getting that sharpness, sharpening my tools, and hopefully I can adapt throughout this pre-season and put in some good performances.”
Liverpool, who fielded different lineups in each half, were defeated 4-2 by the Serie A side in front of just under 50,000 spectators at Kai Tak Stadium.
Elliott played in a No.10 role during his 45-minute outing, linking up with summer signing Florian Wirtz.
“I think it was just learning to have that relationship with Flo,” he continued. “When one drops, one stays high and pins back the defenders. If the ball was on one side, make sure we’re both coming over to support.
“I think we had a really good relationship for the first time playing with each other and I think it clicked really well. I think we had a fair few opportunities and we were able to cause problems.
“I think it was a really good test in really, really tough conditions against an incredible team as well.
“It was different formations that as a team we’ve never really played before, but I think there were really good moments in the game.
“Four goals that we conceded in the end and I think we could have avoided them somehow. But it’s pre-season and it’s better to make these mistakes now than to make them throughout the season. We just need to learn from it, reflect and take the positives from today.
“I think we should be proud of ourselves because, as I said, [there were] loads of moments in the game where it was really, really good, in a formation that we’re not really used to playing and players playing in different positions.
“But I think the way the team handled it and applied themselves was really good.”
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