FeatureMeet the Academy: Amara Nallo's love for defending, leadership and Van Dijk studies
Amara Nallo wants you to know he lives and breathes to defend – and always has done.
Even when growing up playing football in London, Nallo wasn't interested in the glory that comes with goals and assists.
Instead, he was always stationed at the back, doing what he loves most.
"A clean sheet for me is like scoring," the teenager declares to Liverpoolfc.com. "It's a very good achievement.
"I've always been a centre-half, even when I was playing district for my local borough. I just feel like defending is my game. I just like defending.
"I'd say I'm really calm and composed and just aggressive when it comes to defending."
Nallo's passion for protection was one of the traits that caught the eye of Liverpool, who officially snapped him up from West Ham United in September 2023.
The then-16-year-old immediately knew it was the right move for his career.
He was pretty much thrust into U21s action and, soon after, regularly trained with the senior team under Jürgen Klopp.
All that progress culminated in Arne Slot handing him a debut this past January away to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
"I think it was in the off-season when my agent told me Liverpool were interested," Nallo recalls. "I came up to Liverpool, had a look around and I just thought it was the right place for me.
"When I came to the Academy, the players were very welcoming. The staff as well were willing to help and entrusted me and my development, which was really important.
"Obviously there was no doubt in me signing because my family are Liverpool supporters as well. It just all came to plan.
"In the first season I was homesick but then I got to know that I'm here for a reason and I'm working, so I need to make them proud.
"In the second season I'm very focused and determined and looking forward to what's to come."
Nallo's development remains ongoing, of course, and an aspect of it includes honing his leadership skills.
The 18-year-old was frequently handed the captain's armband in the UEFA Youth League and Premier League 2 in the campaign just completed. He opted to lead the team in his own way.
Nallo says: "I would say in terms of my teammates we're all close and we stand up for each other, we look out for each other.
"I feel like if they need anything, they can come to me. And if I need anything, I can go to them. Everyone's a leader in my eyes but the gaffer seems [to think] I am.
"I would say I lead by example – I don't like shouting. Everyone has a way of taking information and if you shout at them then they're not just going to rate you. You almost have to talk to them in a certain way for them to understand."
With all you've learned about Nallo already in our latest Meet the Academy feature, little wonder is required to figure out who his footballing idol was in his formative years.
Nallo can now technically call that inspiration his Liverpool teammate.
"It was [Virgil] van Dijk," the England youth international shares. "First time seeing him, he is massive! You can feel his presence.
"Obviously watching him play is very good because you take tips from him into your game. Seeing him live in the flesh, you can see what you actually need to do.
"The way when there's pressure coming towards him, he does some reverse turn and then plays to the other side to get him out of pressure."
In the pressure-cooker environment of football at the elite level, how does one relax?
In Nallo's case, it's the simple activity of going out for a walk – calm as you like.
He explains: "It's just stress relief. Just walking around, minding my own business, fresh air and that. They're around 30 minutes just walking around the area, headphones, music [on]."
And as our conversation reaches a natural end, Nallo offers up his aims for the immediate future.
They are typically measured as he prepares to enter what he considers to be an important third year as a Red.
He finishes: "Just be regular with the first team and see what we get from there and how far I can push on from there."
More from our Meet the Academy series...