There's little nonsense about the soccer of John Arne Riise. And the Liverpool defender's approach to life seems, on the surface at least, to be pretty much the same as his approach to the game.
There hasn't been much - if any - shirking of responsibilities in a career with the Reds that has spanned six seasons and more than 300 games.
With the media, too, the 26-year-old Riise takes on the task with due diligence. Even if it means being dragged away from the crab salad during a welcome reception for the Barclays Asia Trophy at Wan Chai's Grand Hyatt, he's on with the job.
'Since I came to England and to Liverpool there's been a lot of games. I've been involved in everything for six years now,' he said. 'Physically, you get used to it, but I think mentally you have to be always prepared, too. But I'm still loving it and I hope I can finish my career at Liverpool.'
The hope is, of course, that with six seasons of toiling just behind the pacesetters in the Premier League, some star-studded off-season signings have his team ready to take that next step and mount a sustained challenge for the title that hasn't seen Anfield since the 1989-90 season.
'It's looking very good,' Riise said. 'New owners have brought new players and it's very exciting. We had a few friendlies already and they are going well. I think we are in for a big season.'
An indifferent start to 2006-07 saw Liverpool faced with too much work to do come the business end of the season, and Riise said manager Rafa Benitez would have his charges fired up for a better start.