In his first in-depth interview since joining the club last summer, promising striker Daniel Pacheco talks about life in Liverpool, football politics and tonight's reserve clash in Sunderland.
Watch the full interview now>>
When he signed for the club at the tender age of 16, Pacheco already had something of a reputation to live up to.
The Spanish starlet had been scoring freely for Barcelona's youth teams and soon found himself with the heavy tag of 'teenage prodigy'.
Pacheco cut his teeth at the junior section of his hometown club, Malaga, but soon made the long trip north to continue his progression under the coaches at the Camp Nou.
Despite being only 15-years-old at the time, Pacheco shot to prominence in Barcelona's under-18 team, and his clinical finishing earned soon led to him being nicknamed 'The Killer'.
He may only be 5ft 6ins tall, but the stylish striker can hold his own against defenders who are much stronger than him. His excellent ball skills and ability to ghost past the opposition have even led some pundits to liken Pacheco to Brazilian star Romario. No pressure then.
After joining the first team squad for their pre-season training camp in Switzerland and taking a starring role in many warm-up matches, Pacheco is now chomping at the bit for more action alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
The affable youngster certainly hasn't let all the hype go to his head and is focused on progressing under Gary Ablett in the reserve team squad this season. In his first in-depth interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Pacheco admits his ultimate goal at Anfield is to become a regular first team player at Anfield.
This is your second season in English football, how are you finding life in Liverpool?
I am very happy with Liverpool, with the club and with the city. And I am also happy with all of my friends from inside and outside the club.
Which players have helped you the most?
The Spanish players have helped me a lot in the reserve team. Alvaro Arbeloa has also helped me a lot. He always talks to me after every training session and every match.
Does it help you that the manager is Spanish?
It is easy for me because the reserve team coach Angel Vales and the manager speak Spanish, so it makes things a lot better for all the young Spanish players.
How different is your life here to what you had in Spain?
It is very different. I think it's a lot more professional how things are done here. I feel very much a part of things now and it's my second season at the club. In Spain we used to train in the afternoons and study in the mornings but here we train in the mornings instead - that is one big difference. It's been a big step, but it's something that I wanted and I'm very happy as a result of making that step.
Is it difficult being away from your friends and family?
No, it is something I am used to because I left Malaga at the age of 12 and travelled over 1000km up to Barcelona, and that's where I started to learn more. But even back in Malaga, I spent a lot of time out on the street learning the game and playing from a very early age, so I'm used to being out and about really.
Who is your inspiration?
My brother. He always helped me a lot in life and I learnt how to play football with him. When he was playing in Malaga, he had an opportunity to play for the reserve team, but the manager said that if I went to Barcelona my brother would have to leave the club too. I will never forget that.
That must have been very hard for you, to be involved in such politics at such a young age?
Yes, it was. He had to leave and, though he still plays football, it's not at the same level. It wasn't a nice experience.
Does your brother still help you now?
Yes he does, he is always helping me.
Is the football here different to in Spain?
Everybody knows it is quicker here. There is more intensity and a higher tempo. But I like these things, I wanted to come and play in England for Liverpool and I am happy with the differences.
How do you think you have played since you've been here?
I think that the first year was a bit tough for me, I was coming into a totally different style of football and playing with players who were probably a bit more experienced than me. It takes time to settle into the football in this country, but I think this year I am starting the see the benefit of that experience and I think things are getting better all the time.
What was it like being in Switzerland with the first team for the pre-season training camp during the summer?
It was a fantastic opportunity for me to travel to Switzerland with the first team. I was on my holidays back home in Malaga at the time I found out that I would be going. It was a real surprise to me because I didn't think I would get the chance to go there. But everyone said I should make use of it and make sure I enjoy it, and that's what I did. I used it as a real chance to learn alongside the top professionals at the club. It was great.
What was it like training as well as playing with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher? How much did they help you?
To tell you the truth, it was really something that I couldn't wait for. I think it's very important to play alongside someone like Stevie, who is one of the best players in the world. It's a real thrill when he gives me the odd bit of advice. Similarly with Jamie, he is also a top player and has really helped me a lot with his experience. I think it has been very good for me to play with them.
Are you aware of how much you have impressed the Liverpool fans over the summer?
I think I have noticed the slight things when people have made comments in the street or as I am leaving Melwood. I am aware that things have gone well, but I haven't achieved anything yet so I know that I've got to carry on working hard in the team I am in at the moment. I have to grab the opportunities when they come along and make the most of them when they do.
How different is it to be back in the reserves as opposed to being in the first team over the summer?
It's something that I have to remember and certainly Rafa and Angel have both underlined this when they have spoken to me. Quite often you get players who make that leap up from the reserves to the first team and maybe take their foot off the gas a little bit. But that is certainly not something I am going to do - I want to work even harder and if I didn't do that then it would be showing a lack of respect to my team-mates and the reserves. Everyone is working hard to get a chance in the first team, so it's all about not relaxing for one minute.
How desperate are you for more first team football?
I think that is the goal for any reserve team player. But as I said before, the only way to really achieve that is to carry on working hard in this team that I am in at the moment.
Do you think you are ready for the Premier League?
That's not for me to say, I think the coaching staff should make that call. But I certainly feel confident in my capabilities and I think I can do it. Maybe I just need to get used to the tempo, build up my strength and get a little bit more experience. After that, who knows?
As a striker, how much can you learn from Fernando Torres?
You can't put a limit on how much you can learn from Fernando - I think it's endless. You can't take your eyes off him in training, it's great to just watch him intently. He is an idol for everyone back home in Spain. Everyone loves him there and he is a real player for the people. On top of all that he is a great guy too, so it is just a case of learning as much as possible from him.
What is your long-term dream at Liverpool?
My dream is to be a part of the first team for many years and that is what I am working towards.
It was a good start of the season for you against Middlesbrough in the reserves, are the players happy with their performances?
We were quite happy with getting the first win of the season under our belts. It was a reasonably tough game and it was made more difficult by the bad weather conditions - it really poured down. We've got a lot of new faces in the side, so hopefully we can put in some good performances in the league and add to that 4-0 victory.
How much has Gary Ablett helped you?
He has been doing a very good job. I think it is very difficult for him because he has so many players from different parts of the world, but he knows how to handle that. He treats every player very well. Obviously it's not just the language barrier he might have with players, but also I think that people who come from different parts of the world can be very different and he manages to deal with that very well too. He is a great person and a great manager - things are going very well.
Finally, it was a great season for the reserves last year, do the players think they are unbeatable now?
I wouldn't go that far. We have a young side and there have been a lot of changes. I think that if we go in with the right mindset and the right attitude, take things game by game rather than looking too far ahead and just try and get the three points on a week by week basis, then hopefully we'll be alright.
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