Simon Mignolet says competition for his starting goalkeeper role from new signing Loris Karius will only help him and Liverpool improve this season.
Liverpool brought in Karius from Mainz in May, and the 22-year-old immediately set his sights on winning Mignolet's job, even passing up a chance to play in the Olympics.
But Mignolet, speaking to reporters in California ahead of Liverpool's games in the International Champions Cup, said he welcomed the challenge of retaining the spot he's had for three seasons.
"I think the challenge is good," he said. "For every place you need that competition if you are going to improve as a player and as a team.
"I am used to the competition for places. It's happened over the last couple of seasons and it happened at the previous teams I was at.
"It is the same with the international team. If you want it, you have got to fight for it. You have got to take the challenge and ensure it gets the best out of you. It is nice to have.
"It all comes down to how you deal with it yourself. The biggest challenge is the fight you have on your own. You have to look at yourself and make sure you give your best in training and in your performances. That is what I will keep doing.
"There is no point looking at somebody else. You have just got to make sure you do your job in the best possible way."
Liverpool will play two games in California, first against Premier League rivals Chelsea on Wednesday in Pasadena (ESPN), then against AC Milan in Santa Clara on July 30 (ESPN2), before returning to England to face Barcelona at Wembley on Aug. 6 (ESPN).