Harvey Elliott has admitted it was difficult to get back to feeling 100% following his long-term ankle injury.
But the Liverpool youngster has declared himself ready for the final week of a thrilling season as Jurgen Klopp's men go in search of both the Premier League and Champions League.
Elliott made his first start since March on Tuesday night in the 2-1 win at Southampton, playing around an hour before he was withdrawn for Divock Origi.
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It was the first time the 19-year-old had started a Premier League fixture since a shocking ankle injury sustained at Leeds back in September and the youngster has been gradually eased back into the fold since returning to training in late January.
"I know myself that I am fit but it's down to the manager to make the decisions," Elliott told the ECHO. "We're all 100% behind his decisions and we all take it on the chin. So I haven't been playing that much but it's been all down to me really.
"There have been some training weeks where I haven't really been at my best and it's down to me to make sure that I am showing the gaffer that I am able to play and I am ready for the opportunity like today when it is given to me.
"But like I say, we're all committed and we're all 100% behind the gaffer. So whatever team is put out or whatever subs come on, it's best for us and best for the team, so we're all for it as a team.
"We're all here if we're needed. But as I say, just to put the shirt back on again and play in front of the fans and to get the win like we did today, which was a crucial one, is a lovely experience, a lovely feeling and hopefully many more to come."
Elliott added: "It was nice to get back out there again in the Premier League, get some minutes and obviously I know I needed to keep myself fresh. I obviously had a terrible injury and I knew I didn't need to rush anything,
"I just needed to keep myself fit and like you've seen today I needed to make sure I can get through the minutes I play. That is all I have focused on really.
"We've got a great squad with great players and to get out there and start again is a lovely feeling, just to put the Liverpool shirt back on and play 60 minutes. Hopefully I can get more minutes down the line, but we'll see. I am just ready for each and every moment. I've just got to keep myself fit."
After Nathan Redmond had given the Saints the lead on the south coast, a much-changed Liverpool side responded through Takumi Minamino before Joel Matip headed in the winner in the second half.
It means that Liverpool can be crowned champions on Sunday at home to Wolves if they win and Manchester City fail to beat Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa at the Etihad at the same time.
Elliott, though, says the whole squad won't be concerning themselves with events in Manchester as Bruno Lage's men visit Merseyside in what will be the Reds' 62nd and penultimate game of the campaign before the Champions League final with Real Madrid on May 28.
"The boys dug deep when they had to and played a great game," Elliott added. "It's something we've done throughout the whole season. Our focus now is on the next game, we're not really thinking about the future. It just shows how much the boys have focused this season and like you say playing so many games, even some with extra time.
"So the fitness of the boys shows the shape that they're in and everyone is willing to take part and play their part.
"It's full credit to the team and the staff for keeping us fresh every single day. We just keep focusing on what is next and just make sure we get the win in each and every competition.
"I think it's exactly that. We just need to make sure we get the three points and focus on us all really. Whatever happens will happen and obviously we need to make sure we do our job and worry about other results after.
"We're not focusing elsewhere, it's all on ourselves, making sure that if we play our own game to get the points and show the fans our appreciation towards them. Hopefully they can cheer us on in the next game and we just need to keep it tight, focus and make sure we get the job."
