On how challenging the recent period has been compared to other tough moments in his 10-year Liverpool career…
It’s been tough. Everyone obviously takes it differently, for the boys who have just come it probably feels different to how I’ve seen it [in the past]. Obviously there is a massive expectation at this club and you’ve got to feel the weight of the shirt and do your best for the badge, and we know that. We’ve been just as disappointed as the fans and the main thing is that we’re all in it together and we can feel that – we can feel their support, the boys feel it and it’s a balance of trying to not let it overwhelm us and take over us, and hopefully today can take us in the right direction.
On the role he plays in such difficult spells as an experienced player…
I think it’s [about] trying to keep a positive energy, trying to influence the boys in the right way, setting an example on the training pitch, being positive and just keeping the mood. Trying to keep the overall balance amongst the boys, speaking to the younger lads and just saying, ‘Keep going.’ Sometimes it’s a small, positive comment that can lift them and keep them in a good place, just to know that I’m here for them, all of us are here for you, we’re all supporting each other and we’re in this together. We’re a squad and these moments, when we come through them, only make us stronger and build resilience. So, yeah, we all do what we can.