Liverpool reserves forward and former Barcelona youth player Dani Pacheco (18) gave an interview to his club's official website. Some excerpts.
What's it like being recognised?
It feels good when you are with your family or friends or girlfriend. People always say, 'When are you going to be in the first team?' I say, 'I don't know, I don't know - ask Rafa!' It has happened more since this pre-season.
Which stadium would you love to play in?
I'd like to play at Anfield in the Premier League or Champions League, but apart from that it's the Bernabeu. When I was a kid I supported Real Madrid. I think it's the best stadium in Spain and maybe one of the best in the world. I lived so far away in Malaga and Barcelona so I never went to games but I've been a few times now.
Which team's results do you look out for?
Malaga, because it's my home, and Real Madrid. I think they will probably win La Liga this season. They have signed most of the best players! Maybe they haven't signed defensive players but they will be okay!
Career high so far?
The best thing has been signing for Liverpool and since then the two pre-seasons I have spent with the first team - especially the one just gone. Playing with all the star names and going to Singapore and Bangkok with all those fanatical people. I knew it would be good but I didn't expect there to be so many fans.
Career low?
Thankfully I haven't had many. Maybe when I left home at 12 years old to play for Barcelona. But since then I've never been injured and everything has got better, better, better. Touch wood.
Area to improve on?
Everything! I am only 18 years old. The main things though are my strength and my work with the defenders. I also need to make easier passes.
Your main attributes?
Playing between the lines, trying to get the ball all the time, getting assists and tryng to score goals.
read the original and complete interview here
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Thursday, 16 October 2008
Youth: Pacheco explains Liverpool move
In an interview with his club's official media, Liverpool reserves forward Daniel Pacheco (17) explained why he left Barcelona in the summer of 2007:
"It's a similar situation to the likes of Cesc Fabregas. Some Spanish clubs bring players in from South America then don't pay as much attention to the homegrown players.
It was about two years ago at Barcelona that my agent told me Liverpool chief scout Eduardo Marcia was coming to watch me. I didn't know much about him other than he was from Liverpool. Obviously I was a little bit nervous but I preferred to know because then there was no chance of me relaxing in the game. We won 4-1 against Espanyol and I scored a hat-trick - one penalty and another two.
Barcelona was a fantastic place for me but it was an easy decision to come to Liverpool. I'd been there four years and my girlfriend was there but I wanted to come to England. I played every week at Barcelona but the problem was with the contract. The club kept saying I'd get a contract but I never saw it."
Although Pacheco is still playing with Liverpool's reserves team, he got the chance to train with the first team during pre-season: "This summer, I was in Malaga and was expecting to just come back on July 2. But then the club rang me in June and said I had to be back earlier to start with the first team. I was surprised but of course it made me feel very good.
You always learn a lot in every session with the first team. They are massive players but they always help you and give you advice. In pre-season a lot of the Spanish players were away so I was spending time with Yossi Benayoun, Fabio Aurelio and Javier Mascherano. Everyone really, but these three speak Spanish.
Yossi knows I like to play like him. He always tells me that I'm a good player and that when I have time I can run and take players on. But he tells me that when there is no time and opposition players are close I must pass and move.
Now I feel I am a good player for the reserves. Players are now looking for me as the first attacking player. I feel like I am making progress. I know I have to work hard in the reserves because this is my team. If I want to get into the first team I must first play for the reserves. Last season I had just two or three starts but now I am playing all the games."
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