Nathaniel Clyne believes he has “come to terms with the expectations” of being a Liverpool player, with all-round commitment key.
The right-back has established himself as one of the Reds’ key players since his £12.5 million move from Southampton in 2015, maintaining this under both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
Clyne has played every minute of every game under Klopp so far this season, and is arguably yet to produce a poor performance.
This has seen him match the “expectations” on Merseyside, which he detailed his view on this week.
“I love playing games, playing week in, week out and trying to improve as a player,” he explained.
“Every time I’m called upon, I’ll keep trying to do my best.
“I feel like I’ve come to terms with the expectations that come with being a Liverpool player.
“You have to put in 100 percent in every game and every training session.
“You go out there for the team, for the manager and for the fans. It’s good and keeps us on our toes.”
Clyne helped keep the first Premier League clean sheet of Liverpool’s campaign in Monday night’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United, successfully shackling his compatriot, Ashley Young.
This saw him perform alongside two new signings for the Reds in Loris Karius and Joel Matip, while James Milner continued to operate in a new role at left-back, with Clyne full of praise for his colleagues.
“We’ve brought in some new players in defence. Joel and Milly have settled in really well,” he said.
“Ragnar [Klavan] too when he’s come in to play and [Alberto] Moreno when he’s been called on.
“We’ve settled really well at the back and we’re trying our best to keep up good performances like United, when we were more solid and didn’t give them many chances.
“If you can get a clean sheet, it gives you a chance of winning the game.”
Clyne was particularly effusive in his praise of Matip, who he believes is “not fazed by anything.”
“He’s done really well. He’s settled in like he’s been playing for Liverpool for a really long time,” he continued.
“He’s built a good partnership and has done really well defensively.
“He’s confident on the ball, you see him driving forward from defence and helping to set up attacks.
“He’s good and I like playing with him. He is not fazed by anything.
“He is putting in good performances and long may they continue.”
Matip has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive signings of the summer, and after helping keep the Reds’ first clean sheet of the league campaign on Monday, he can look to build on this against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.
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