Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has admitted that he is relishing the chance to be playing Premier League football again after a shorter-than-usual summer break.
A busy campaign last term saw the Reds progress to the finals of the League Cup and the Europa League, with Can then enjoying a spell all the way through to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with Germany.
As a result, the 22-year-old only had three weeks of holiday this summer but thinks that a shorter break will be beneficial for his game this season.
"It was a short break for me but I enjoyed it," Can told the club's official website. "Last season was a long season for me. Now after the break, I'm ready to play football again.
"I didn't have such a long time off and I didn't lose too much fitness. I feel that in training. Of course, I have to come again. I'm very happy to be back and I can't wait until the Premier League starts.
"Pre-season has to be tough, of course. We want to be fit for the season. Now is the time where we can prepare. Sometimes it's not easy but we have to go through it."
Liverpool will take on Roma in Missouri later tonight as part of their pre-season tour of the US.