Nathaniel Clyne Expects Long-Term Stay At Liverpool Following Early Transfer

Nathaniel Clyne believes the timing of his move to Liverpool has given him the best possible chance of getting off to a flying start this season.

Brendan Rodgers wasted no time in securing the 24-year-old’s signature this summer, with his switch from Southampton officially confirmed on the opening day of the 2015 transfer window.

As a result, Clyne was able to play a full part in the Reds’ preseason schedule, including the trips to Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and Finland.

He expects the worth of the work done in that period to be evident from the early stages of the season for both him and the club’s other signings.

“It was important to join ahead of pre-season,” the full-back said in an exclusive 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 preseason at Melwood and then fly out with the squad on the tour, which has been an amazing experience.

“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.

“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, familiarize ourselves with how players play, what their best qualities are and so on.

“We’ve also had a lot of preseason games which will help us get used to each other and jell to the formation that the manager wants us to play.”

Clyne has already netted his first goal in front of the famous Kop: an emphatic finish during Southampton’s 2-1 defeat by the Reds on the opening day of last season. The England international is now looking forward to experiencing the thrill of running out at Anfield, with the home fans hoping he’ll do the same again.

“At 24, there is an opportunity for me to be part of the setup here for a good part of my career,” he said. “That’s definitely the aim — I’m here for the long-term. I’m looking to nail a spot down at Liverpool as soon as possible, but I still have a number of things I can improve on that will hopefully make me a better player than I am now.