Nathaniel Clyne believes the timing of his transfer from Southampton to Liverpool could not have been better, and says he has his sights set on Euro 2016 with England.
The Three Lions right-back signed for the Reds on 1 July 2015, and immediately joined his new team-mates on their tour of Asia and Australia – an experience which Clyne says will stand him in good stead for the season ahead.
"It was important to join ahead of pre-season," he revealed, in an interview with the official Liverpool FC magazine.
"I think it's the perfect time for me to come into the team. It meant I was able to join in the pre-season at Melwood and then fly out with the squad on the tour, which has been an amazing experience."
Nathaniel Clyne made his England debut against Slovenia in November 2015
Clyne will link up with fellow former Saints Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren at Anfield, so already knows at least two of his new colleagues.
However, he said the immediate time together with the rest of the squad has proven to be both enjoyable and beneficial.
"Overall it's given me time to bed in and get to know the team and how they play, and also get to know the manager, the staff and how they operate as well," he continued.
"It's all about adapting. We have a lot of training sessions at this time of year to help us get used to each other, familiarise ourselves with how players play, what their best qualities are and so on.
"We've also had a lot of pre-season games which will help us get used to each other and gel to the formation that the manager wants us to play."
Nathaniel Clyne in action for Liverpool during the pre-season
Clyne also spoke of his ambitions for the season – both personal and collective – and says a title push and a place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad are the main priorities.
"With the squad that we have, I would like to think that we'll look to win every competition that we're in," he continued.
"Our aim has to be a title challenge and trying to make the final of one of the cup competitions, while doing as well as we can in the Europa League.
"My main objective for this season is to establish myself as a Liverpool player.
"If I can do that, hopefully I can be part of the England squad at next summer's Euros.
“Hopefully I can be part of the England squad at next summer's Euros”
Nathanial Clyne
"I know that's not going to be easy as there are a lot of quality players fighting for positions in that squad at the end of the season.
"But that's for down the line. First and foremost, I've got a job to do this season and I can't wait to get started."
Clyne will also be hoping to be part of Roy Hodgson's plans for the final four Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Tickets for the Wembley games against Switzerland and Estonia are on sale now and available here.
