Alberto Moreno desperate to make Liverpool debut against Man CityAug 24, 2014 22:30 By
James PearceSpanish left-back is hoping to get the nod to start ahead of Glen Johnson
Alberto Moreno is desperate to make his Liverpool debut in tomorrow's mouthwatering showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spanish left-back is hoping to get the nod to start ahead of Glen Johnson having got a full week’s training under his belt following his £12million move from Sevilla.
Moreno would relish the opportunity to lock horns with City winger Jesus Navas, who he played alongside in his homeland.
Spain international Navas spent a decade at Sevilla before moving to Manchester City for £15million last year.
“I’m fit and ready and I’d love to play,” Moreno said.
“I’ve been aching to have a chance to play against Jesus Navas. That would be great.
”I haven’t spoken to him since I signed but hopefully I will see him on Monday night.
”I know him very well because when I first broke into the first team squad he was the one that I’d always be up against because he was on the right wing and I’d be on the left.
”He’s like lightning and he’s also very unpredictable which makes him very difficult to stop.”
Brendan Rodgers admits Moreno has caught the eye in training since his arrival from Spain.
The Reds’ pursuit of the 22-year-old went on for three months as negotiations with Sevilla dragged on.
However, Rodgers was delighted to finally land his No 1 left-back target and he believes Moreno could nail down that spot for years to come.
As well as being solid defensively, the manager says the Spain international will boost Liverpool’s attacking threat.
”He has got huge potential,” Rodgers said.
“We needed a left sided player. We monitored him for a while and when we felt we got the value and the worth we were able to clinch the deal.
”He’s a really exciting young player. *When you watch him, he’s very attack minded, very quick and he serves the ball really well.
“At 22, he’s hungry to succeed. He has got improvements to make but he’s one of the players we’ve brought in this summer who is ready to play straight away.
“We had a practise game here last week and he looked very good.
“He’s one who is coming straight out of La Liga. He’s come from the Europa League champions.
“He’s done great. Last season he was one of the top left-backs in Europe and was highly sought after. He’s a boy that will fit well into our way of working.
“We’ve seen young Javier Manquillo come in with his hunger and shoe his willingness to go forward on the right.
“This boy Moreno is the same on the other side.
“He’s super quick, strong and a good passer of the ball.
“At that age he can come in and be here for a number of years.
“I’m really looking to build something here over the coming years but I also need players ready to play now and he’s one of them.”
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alberto-moreno-desperate-make-liverpool-7665971
