Alberto: I want Alonso success
Luis Alberto is setting his sights on emulating the success compatriot Xabi Alonso enjoyed in a red jersey as he prepares to get his Liverpool career up and running.
The 20-year-old forward made the move to Merseyside from Sevilla last month as Brendan Rodgers put his summer transfer plans into action.
Liverpool's modern-day history is full of Spanish success stories at the club - but Alberto knows which man's footsteps he'd most like to follow in.
"It would be great to have the same success that Xabi Alonso enjoyed in his time here," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"For me not only is he an excellent player but also a real professional who you have to admire because it's something to be proud of that we have players like that in Spain."
Alberto, who played his first minutes in a red shirt during the 4-0 win over Preston at the weekend, is still acclimatising to the intensity of the training sessions he's undergone so far this pre-season.
Nonetheless, it's a challenge he's relishing.
Alberto said: "I'm quite happy. I've arrived here from a different style league where there is a lower level of intensity and tempo but I'm getting used to things and so yes, I'm pretty pleased how it's going.
"You can see the differences straight away in training - it is more intense and high tempo. You have to be in pretty good shape physically to be able to cope with the tempo over here. That's what I'm focusing on currently, trying to get up to speed with the tempo of my teammates."
Shortly after inking his deal at Liverpool, manager Brendan Rodgers drew parallels between his arrival and that of Philippe Coutinho in January.
"I know Philippe mostly from his time playing for Espanyol in the Spanish League," said Alberto.
"He's been playing at the top level. I can watch and learn from him - we're the same age, both young, we both want to progress and give everything and bust a gut to make sure we succeed."
Prior to joining Liverpool, Alberto enjoyed a highly-productive loan spell with Barcelona's 'B' team, where he scored 11 goals and notched 17 assists in 38 appearances.
He admits pre-season training has differed between all three clubs, with the Reds' the most intense of the trio.
"At Sevilla it was quite different from last year with Barca," said Alberto. "That's because they are two different clubs, and here the difference right now is the level of intensity, which is quite a bit higher.
"However, the philosophy of the manager here of working with the ball a lot is similar to that of Barcelona."
What other similarities does Alberto see between Liverpool's style and that of Barcelona?
"It's not that straightforward," he reflects. "Barcelona have had the same style back from the days when Johann Cruyff was in charge. It requires a good number of years to develop that philosophy.
"The manager here is trying to implement a passing-type game with lots of movement involving players like Philippe, Sterling, and now Iago and me - there are lots of quality players here who show good movement.
"It took a while to establish this style of play because it does need time, but towards the end of the season it was working well and you could see it paying off with some decent results."
Alberto's arrival will further bolster Liverpool's attack options for the new season, but the No.6 believes he can compete for a place in several difference positions.
"I can play in any number of positions from midfield all the way to up front," he said. "I don't feel out of place anywhere and I'm comfortable out wide.
"On either right or left wing, through the middle, as a 'false nine'...I can play in every position."
Alberto has had little time to explore his new surroundings since moving to Merseyside last month - but he's eager to get to know the city.
"In the spare time we've had up to now I've been into the centre a few times and we had Sunday off so I went over to Manchester then," he said.
"I want to get out and about and get to know the place as much as I can as it's very important to do that on all levels."