Alberto Moreno believes his recent return to the Liverpool starting XI is 'payback' for the work he has done since returning for pre-season training.

The Spaniard has featured from the off in the Reds' first two games of the new campaign and will hope to take his place in the line-up again today against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Having made just eight starts in all competitions last term, Moreno is pleased with his increased involvement so far this time around.

And he believes it is thanks to the effort he has put into improving his concentration levels during games. 

"[It’s] effectively the payback for a lot of good work that I’ve done over the summer and during the pre-season after a very, very hard year for me.

"It was a very difficult year, last year. I came in with it in my head that I had to work harder and, in truth, I’ve been rewarded for that and I’m playing and I’m doing things well. 

"I’ve been concentrating on playing over 90 minutes, being focused and never losing concentration, being alert and playing the way I know. 

"If I play the way I play and carry on that way, I can be very useful for Liverpool and I think I need to carry on down that path."

Watch: Moreno discusses his return to the team

With James Milner and Andy Robertson pushing for a recall, Moreno's starting berth at left-back remains under threat despite his promising start.

When asked what he needs to do to retain his place in the coming weeks, the defender added: "The words I always work on the basis of are, ‘work and consistency’.

"To be consistent, never let your head drop and do everything to the best of your ability in training so that at the weekend you’re at your best. 

"As I’ve said, work, work and work."

But the 25-year-old is encouraged by praise from Jürgen Klopp, who recently described him as '100 per cent back after a difficult year'.

"Whenever a manager speaks well of you, it makes you proud as a player," he continued.

"That means that the work you’re doing is good and that you’re doing everything to the best of your ability for the team. 

"I think that is important and I intend to keep working."