Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana admits that the expectation that comes with playing for Liverpool can make for a heavy burden.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said on Monday that "the weight of the jersey" was a factor in the difficulty some of his new signings were having in establishing themselves as Anfield.
By that, Rodgers meant that the pressure of playing for a club of Liverpool's size can make life difficult for new arrivals.
It was something the manager noticed when he came to Anfield from Swansea in 2012 -- and it is a statement that Lallana backs up.
But the England midfielder, signed from Southampton for 23 million pounds in the summer, is hopeful of making a long-term impact despite a difficult start.
Lallana is still finding his feet in Liverpool's first-team after missing most of preseason with a knee injury, from which he only returned against Aston Villa on Sept. 13.
Neither he nor the Reds have yet hit their best form this season, with the team losing three of their opening five Premier League matches ahead of Saturday's derby against Everton at Anfield.
Lallana told British national newspapers: "Not for one minute did I think it would be easy, coming to join such a big club. You have to work twice as hard and that's what I'm doing.
"I still feel I am edging towards my best. I don't feel I am there yet, but I knew it would take time with me missing preseason.
"There is definitely more pressure there. It is something you cannot quite explain unless you have experienced it yourself.
"There is that difference when you pull on a Liverpool shirt. But it is a great feeling as well.
"The best way to overcome the expectation is to just try to enjoy the football."
Saturday will be Lallana's first Merseyside derby as a player -- having grown up as an Everton fan.
The midfielder was born in the Hertfordshire town of St Albans, moving to Bournemouth when he was five, but he supported the Toffees because his father did.
Lallana said: "Everton always seemed to be fighting relegation when I was supporting them. I seem to remember there were a lot of tears.
"I know they've not won at Anfield for 15 years, and I hope we can keep that record going, and get the win we need too."