To some, it was the first friendly of pre-season.

But to Alberto Moreno, it was akin to a cup final.

Moreno is currently preparing for his fifth campaign with Liverpool, with the last four seasons yielding 136 competitive appearances in competitions including the Premier League and the Champions League.

However, not much during his time at Anfield has given the Spain international as much pleasure as captaining Jürgen Klopp’s side in a warm-up match at the home of National League North outfit Chester FC earlier this month.

“Yes, for sure it was one of the best moments I’ve enjoyed here at the club, being able to lead the team out, wearing the captain’s armband on that shirt with that badge,” Moreno told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood.

“It’s something that I’ll remember my whole life. All my family and friends were really happy for me.

“Of course, everyone knows it was friendly game but for me it was like a cup final. Being able to wear the armband and be captain of Liverpool is a massive deal for me and like I say, I’ll never forget that moment.”

Moreno’s impressive form at the beginning of 2017-18 was curtailed by an ankle injury sustained in December, and the 26-year-old struggled for game time when he returned to fitness due to Andy Robertson’s consistent excellence at left-back.

He sees the start of a new campaign as an opportunity to impress Klopp once again, though.

“New season, new players, everything is new and anything can happen,” Moreno explained.

“[There are] Players who are developing and improving, others who are maybe searching for form a little, and all that’s good; we’re all starting from the same point and the players who are in form can earn their place and get the chance to feature. I think that’s the fairest way of doing things.”

Watch all six of Liverpool's remaining pre-season friendlies on LFCTV and LFCTV GO (restrictions apply in the US and Italy)>>>

Moreno has played 45 minutes in each of the Reds’ three summer friendlies so far and, while admitting that the last two-and-a-half weeks have been physically challenging on the training pitch, he expects the team to reap the benefits of the work being put in now over the coming months.

“Being totally honest the sessions have been tough, really tough - but that’s what a pre-season is all about, working hard and getting yourself fully fit, getting your legs to work properly again,” he said.

“It’s what you need to do. Every pre-season is hard work, but it’s the pathway that leads to success and being able to achieve the things we did last season, like getting to the Champions League final.”

Next up in Liverpool’s pre-season fixture schedule is a trip to Championship club Blackburn Rovers on Thursday - a game you can watch live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO - and Moreno is anticipating a testing evening at Ewood Park. 

He continued: “All the pre-season games we’re playing are tough, whether it’s through the heat we’re playing in [or] because we’ve gone a while now without playing in a game. 

“Also, we’re training really hard right now here at Melwood and so you do feel that in your legs a little when you do play a match and you are a bit more tired than usual. 

“But that’s not an excuse. At the end of the day, we are Liverpool and we have to be winning all these pre-season games. It’s true we’re now facing a side from the Championship, so we have to give of our best and win the game.”

Watch all six of Liverpool's remaining pre-season friendlies on LFCTV and LFCTV GO (restrictions apply in the US and Italy)>>>