Liverpool defender Jose Enrique insists he is willing to play in any position to fight for his place in the team and help the club improve on their league position.
The 26-year-old did not feature much under new manager Brendan Rodgers at the beginning of the season, but he has recently gained more game time in an advanced role on the left flank.
And Enrique, who admits that his form dipped towards the end of last season, has declared that he is determined to fight for his place in the team, even if that means playing out of his usual position.
“You don’t live off what you have done before in football, you live in the now,” Enrique told reporters.
“I will fight because I want to be here for a long time. This is the biggest club I have ever played for. The fans are amazing and I am really happy in the city.
“I know my form had dropped and I don’t know why, but football has different moments. Now I feel as if I am playing well and I hope I can continue like this. Every day you have to prove yourself.
“If that means playing in a forward line, then I am happy to do it. I am more comfortable at left-back but playing alongside Luis [Suarez] is easy. He’s a really clever player and I am happy to play there, I enjoy it.”
Enrique has been part of an attacking line of three for the Reds in the last few games, scoring his first goal for the club, and coming close to scoring the winner in their recent match against Swansea, only to be given offside.
“Last year, until December, I really played well,” he continued. “My form dropped after that but now I feel as if I am doing well again.
“You cannot worry about playing for your future. If you don’t play well, you are on the bench. There are players here waiting to come and take your place.
“It is the manager’s decision. If you are not happy, you go. If he plays Glen [Johnson] or Stewart [Downing], that is his decision. I have to respect that.
“Every day you have to prove yourself and I believe I am doing that now.
“I was frustrated at the start of the season because I had this pain in my knee, but the scan showed nothing. Then one day, the pain just went, and I feel much better now.”
The former Newcastle player has also praised Rodgers’ knowledge of the game and believes he is “very Spanish” in his tactical awareness.
“In England, Brendan Rodgers is the best manager I have had in terms of tactics and everything else,” he continued.
“Tactically, he is very Spanish – he reminds me of when I had [Manuel] Pellegrini at Villarreal,” he added. “He has a mentality like a Spanish manager and I really like that.”
“I can’t believe how much England struggles with heavy rain. The roads come to a stand still. Other countries get rain for a month and cope “