[lfc-news] Luis Garcia interview - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 25 Aug 2004
LUIS GARCIA TALKS TO LIVERPOOLFC.TV
By Steve Hunter

Luis Garcia speaks to us about his excitement at being a Liverpool player,
his admiration for manager Rafael Benitez and how difficult a decision it
was to leave Barcelona.

~ Liverpoolfc.tv: Luis, was it a difficult decision to leave Barcelona for
Liverpool?

Luis Garcia: In principle it was a difficult decision because leaving a
club like Barcelona is not an easy thing to do. However I weighed
everything up and had a conversation with the manager and we discussed one
or two important issues. When you consider the name Liverpool have in the
world of football and the history they have, it's a big place to come to
and in the end that helped me make my decision. I'm looking forward to many
happy years at Liverpool and hopefully I can settle well into the team.
Signing for Liverpool is something I'm very happy and pleased about.

~ How big a factor was it that Rafael Benitez is the Liverpool manager
having played for him at Tenerife?

I maintained a good relationship with Mr Benitez in the past. At one point
we had talked about the possibility of me going to Valencia so we got on
well. When he did finally come to Liverpool it was important for me to
feature as part of his plans, because I know he is trying to put together
the basis of a side which is going to achieve things over the next few
years. That was one of the main reasons for me coming here. We are all
looking to head in the same direction and create a good future for Liverpool.

~ How important is it for you to already have three Spanish players at
Liverpool?

It's not that important to be honest with you. Yes it helps if you have
players you can converse with but the main factor in joining is because
it's Liverpool.

~ How much do you know about the English game and have you seen much of it
on the TV in Spain?

We are lucky that we get a lot of English matches televised over in Spain
so when we were on pre-match get togethers at Barcelona and stuck in a
hotel we would watch the Premiership. I watched a lot of Liverpool matches
and one thing that really stuck out was the atmosphere in the ground and
that is something I am looking forward to experiencing at first hand.

~ How different do you think it will be to the atmosphere you experienced
in Spain?

I think the way English fans seem to really live for the game in this
country is tremendous and something to behold. The way the ground is always
full and sell out crowds is fantastic.

~ As a player do you respond better when the crowd is right behind you?

Definitely. If you are a player and you know the crowd are right behind you
it's great. If you play a bad pass they will keep supporting you and they
don't get on your back which is great. The crowd is vital to the team as
they can help you lift your game.

~ Luis how does it feel to be wearing the number 10 shirt at Liverpool,
made famous by the likes of John Toshack, Jan Molby, John Barnes and
Michael Owen?

I think it's something that I gave a lot of thought to and it was an
important decision. I know the 10 shirt is a big number at Liverpool and
it's something I'm really excited about, and it is something that will
inspire me wearing it.

~ Do you feel you are joining a club that can get back amongst the game's
elite again?

In Spain we have a situation where there is two teams at the very top in
Barcelona and Real Madrid so in England it's kind of like that, although I
would include Liverpool amongst the top teams in England. We can battle it
out for honours with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

~ Your Liverpool debut could come on Sunday at Bolton who also have a
Spanish player in Ivan Campo. Have you spoken to him at all about English
football?

I've not had a chance to speak to Ivan how he has been getting on in
England but I am aware he has done well in his time at Bolton. That can
only serve as a kind of incentive to the rest of us Spaniards to do well
over here because I am convinced we can play an important role at Liverpool
in the future.


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