Jordan Henderson admitted he always knew Liverpool was the right long-term destination for him, after the midfielder signed a new five-year contract with the club.
The 24-year-old's contract talks had stalled for a few months over a wage dispute, but the club and the player have finally agreed terms on a renewal that will see the Reds' vice-captain earn approximately £100,000-a-week.
It is reward for Henderson's splendid rise through the ranks at the club, becoming a vital starting midfielder in Brendan Rodgers' side and looking likely to take the armband from departing skipper Steven Gerrard next month.
"I always have," said Henderson, when asked why he thought Liverpool was the club for him. "A few years ago I had an opportunity to leave but I always knew how big this club is and I wanted to stay here for as long as possible - and nothing has changed since then.
"I feel as though I have got a good connection with the club now and I really feel a good connection with the fans as well. So, for me, there was no doubt where my future was going to be and it was just a matter of time for my agent and the club to sort it out.
"For me, it was purely based on concentrating on my football and then hopefully it would get sorted out. Thankfully, it is now.
"I've done interviews in the last few months where I have been questioned about my future, and I've always said that I want to stay at Liverpool, there is nowhere else I want to go.
"It was just a matter of time for the club and my agent to agree a deal. Thankfully, it is done now - I can really concentrate on my future and helping this team be as successful as possible.
Henderson joined the Reds back in 2011 from his only other club, Sunderland - making the £20 million switch under Kenny Dalglish.
Since, the industrious midfielder has made 180 appearances and scored 20 goals - seven of which have come in a terrific individual 2014-15 season.
"It has gone fast, but I've enjoyed every minute of it," continues Henderson, talking about his Liverpool career so far.
"I have been through difficult times, but I would never change that because I know there will be more difficult times ahead and I'll have to use that and I'll be able to handle it a lot better.
"I'm over the moon and hopefully we've got many years ahead of winning trophies.
"When the manager first came to the football club, everybody knew his intentions straight away and what he was trying to do. You could just tell in the way he would deliver meetings and what he was doing on the training field that he was a top manager.
"He helped on one or two things I needed to improve on to get into the team and then once I was in the team, I needed to show that I could stay there and improve. So a lot of credit has got to go to the manager for helping me to develop; and obviously that's another big reason why I'm staying at this football club, because I want to develop as a footballer and I feel this is the right place for me."
The 2014-15 season has not been a particular noteworthy one for Rodgers and his Liverpool side.
They were sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages, as well as failing to get past Besiktas in the Europa League Round of 32. The Reds also fell in the final four of the Capital One Cup and most recently, the FA Cup.
But Henderson, who admits he is an ambitious player, believes the club is on the right path after a chat with Rodgers.
"I'm the same as every other player," he said. "I want to be playing at the highest level - in the Champions League, winning trophies and being very successful. I'm no different.
"I had good conversations with the manager about the future of the football club and it was very bright, I was very pleased with what I was hearing.
"I want to be a big part of that and hopefully I can."
Henderson joins teammates Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, both of whom have committed their long-term futures to the club within the past five months - and the vice-captain believes their services will be key if the Reds are to really progress over the next few years.
He said: "They are two massive players for us, so for them to commit is huge again for the football club. We've got a great squad, we've got some great players and young as well.
"I feel there's a lot of potential, but we need to start turning that potential into winning things. I've got a good feeling that we can do that."
"It has been very difficult (this week after the FA Cup defeat), especially the way we went out. I didn't feel we played as well as we know we can, which is the most disappointing thing.
"But you've got to deal with difficult times in your career and move on quickly, because there's another game around the corner. We need to make sure we're prepared and ready for West Brom at the weekend and focus on the last few games of the season.
"We've got to take that one on the chin and make sure we put it right in the next few games and show that we do really care. Hopefully we can put it right and finish in the top four."
But even after the Premier League campaign finishes and brings to an end the 2014-15 season for the club, it will not be the end for Henderson.
With Steven Gerrard set to leave for LA in the summer, Henderson will have a busy summer ahead should he be awarded the captaincy - as is expected, something he would be very honoured to have.
"It's another huge honour for me to do that. Whenever Stevie hasn't been able to play and I've been leading the side, it has been incredible and I've really enjoyed doing it.
"When Stevie goes next year, it's up to the manager to decide who the next captain will be; and whoever it is, I'll support and give my all to them. Hopefully, in the future we're winning things and it's bright for us.
"Since I first came to the club, I have always tried to learn from Stevie because he is such a role model to everyone; he does things properly on the training field and off it.
"You're always going to learn from people like that and players like that. I've always tried to do that. The captaincy is up to the manager. Next season he decides who the next one will be."