ReactionHarvey Elliott on sharpness, playing No.10 with Wirtz and the 'fearless' Ngumoha
Harvey Elliott felt sharp in what was his first appearance in Liverpool's pre-season programme this summer.
The No.19 was afforded extended time off after his starring role in England's victory at the U21 European Championship back in June.
He returned to form part of the Reds' travelling party for their tour to Asia and started Saturday's encounter with AC Milan in Hong Kong.
- Follow all of the Reds' pre-season with All Red Video - find out more and join here
"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."
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
Liverpool, who fielded different XIs in both halves, were beaten 4-2 by the Serie A side, in front of just shy of 50,000 spectators at Kai Tak Stadium.
Elliott took up a No.10 role for his 45-minute outing, alongside 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."
Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo were the goalscorers for the Premier League champions.
Szoboszlai netted the Reds' first by brilliantly curling an effort into the top corner, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha playing a vital role in the build-up.
"I mean, he's fearless – I think he showed that today against AC Milan, one of Europe's big teams," Elliott said of the teenager. "He just looked like a kid in a park, although he is a kid!
"He just needs to carry on like that and we're trying as much as we can to help him out.
"I think if he keeps on performing the way he is, working hard as he is, the kid's got an amazing future and [I'm] really excited to see where things go. Hopefully he can be very successful."