“I wasn’t able to get loads of minutes [in the final league games], but I was happy to just come back,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Dreams are made of maybe having some part to play in Madrid, but it’s not about me – it’s about making sure whoever is on the pitch does the job for the club and for the team.

“If I can be involved, that would be amazing, but just to be around it and be fit and healthy again is good for me as well at the minute.”

He continued: “That was a nice trip for me back then [to Marbella], being back in and around the lads for the first time.

“At times it’s been a little bit frustrating as well because you feel you are back and to then keep up with these boys after the long season they’ve had and the intensity they train at, coming back from a year [out] it’s not so easy and you pick up little things along the way.

“It’s been another little journey for me the last part, but it’s been really exciting to be in and around the team and in contention to maybe have some part in the final, but just to be involved is amazing for me.

“After crutching my way around the pitch last year, it’s nice to be in this situation!”

The England international added: “Obviously the final is going to be in Madrid, so a lot warmer than maybe an evening game in England that we’re used to, so we’ve come out here to try and get used to that.

“Coming out here and making it a little bit tougher is obviously really, really helpful. The boys have approached it really well as they have done all season. The gaffer is shouting and pushing us to stay right on top of everything – and that’s what we need. We’ve got one last push now and everyone looks really good.”