Rickie Lambert is happy to cut short his holidays for a first preseason with Liverpool.
The 32-year-old arrived at Liverpool's Melwood training ground a week earlier than he needed to following his World Cup commitments.
The England striker said: "I was itching to get back, be with the lads and play football.
"It's good. It's my second day and I'm enjoying it. It's hard but I'm feeling good.
"This [early start] is what I have to do now; it's no longer a choice for me, really.
"I know my body and know what I've got to do, to get into the same shape as everybody else and it tends to be that I need to do a little bit more.
"It was always my intention to come back earlier, whether I was at Southampton or Liverpool - but obviously I am desperate to hit the ground running and do well for Liverpool.
"I thought it was massively important I come back early, and make sure I'm in the best shape possible for when the season kicks off, because that's what all this is for.
"It's a lifestyle every boy dreams of - and it's at Liverpool. It's common sense that I was always going to back early - that was my intention."
