HONG KONG -- Divock Origi says he has benefitted from his testing 2016-17 campaign as he looks to make a positive impact with Liverpool both domestically and on the European stage.
Last season saw Origi return from ankle ligament damage, but he failed to recapture his best form. The 22-year-old faces greater competition for places at Anfield this term with Jurgen Klopp adding Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke to his options.
"I think I learned a lot because it was a special situation with a big club having no European competitions," he told reporters after scoring in Liverpool's 2-0 friendly win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
"For me, I just try to make steps every game. I think I had ups and downs, but in the end, I learned. I think it's made me learn even more about the game. Now I'm more complete and ready to start the season.
"I'm feeling better and better. The sessions have been quite hard, but that is how it's supposed to be. I have to focus on my performances, display my qualities, and then it's up to the manager to make the choices. I'm confident in my qualities and I'm confident in the group -- it's only a good thing that we have so many top players.
"I enjoy playing with quality players. For me, I just have to enjoy my own game and do my thing as it's what I can control."
Origi has been linked with a return back to France recently, but the Belgium international insists a move away from Liverpool has not been on his mind this summer.
"It's my agent who deals with these matters," he continued. "I only thought about coming back and preparing and being there in the preseason. Apart from that, I didn't think about anything else."
Liverpool's preparations for the new season have been somewhat disrupted by the turbulent weather in Hong Kong.
Klopp's side have been forced to train indoors on multiple occasion as the torrential rain over the past week has left surfaces unfit.
"It's more about the character with this heat and the conditions -- it's not easy," Origi added. "But we showed that we are a team and that we can manage in every circumstance.
"We all had smiles and enjoyed it, so we're going to try and make the most of it."