The Reds midfielder missed the closing months of the 2011-12 season through injury, but is back to fitness after a busy summer off the field — and he’s anxious to get going again.
“We should be challenging for the Champions League, no doubt about that,” the Scot told Liverpoolfc.com in Boston. “This club deserves to be where it is, but you don’t get where you are just because of the name. You get there because of hard work and a bit of luck.
“You set your standards high and we’ve got a good group of players. People saw that last season and at times we were unlucky.
“We need to set our standards as high as we can, participate in every tournament we are in and try to win everything available to us.”
Adam was a regular starter under Kenny Dalglish before an injury sustained in March marred his maiden season in a Liverpool shirt.
The midfielder is now determined to make up for lost time.
“I’m fine now,” Adam revealed. “I was back training in the last week of the season basically and I had four weeks’ break in the summer. I’m back now and I’ve joined in every session since the lads have been back.
“It’s good to get going again because the last couple of months were frustrating but it’s time to reflect on what you have done and it’s good to be back in the groove again.”
Adam was among those who flew to the United States on Monday as the Reds set off for their tour of North America.
Liverpool face Toronto FC on Saturday — and the 26-year-old cannot wait to get back on the pitch.
“It has been great for us to come here and get the work done in good conditions,” the midfielder added.
“The first 10 days of preseason at home was a bit different, with the rain and the wind, but us coming here is good — and good to get some warm weather and put the good work in.
“For me it’s about getting fit again and trying to get some minutes back on the pitch.
“Missing a couple of months at the end of the season was difficult so getting back on the pitch is probably the biggest thing for me, and hopefully showing the new manager what I can do.”
Adam has had as much opportunity as anybody to scrutinise Brendan Rodgers‘ methods and he believes the whole team are enjoying life under the new boss.
“The club has got a good manager who wants to get us to go and play and pass and press the ball. We’re looking forward to the start of the season,” he explained.
“The new manager coming in is going to want to play the way he wants to play, and the lads have got to adapt to that, try to show why they want to be at this club, play as well as they can, and train as hard as they can.”
A trip to America is the latest highlight of a rollercoaster 12 months for Adam, who married partner Sophie-Leigh last month — something he feels will help his performances on the pitch during the coming season.
“When you make that decision it’s the biggest decision in your life,” he said. “It was a proud day and a day I enjoyed. It will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“I’ve always said if you’re happy off the pitch your performances show on the pitch. I’m fortunate enough that that’s the way life is at the moment. It’s good and hopefully there’s a lot more exciting times as a Liverpool player ahead.”
Photo via Flickr/kong niffe
