FOR someone who marked no less a talent than Lionel Messi out of the game on his full Liverpool debut, recognition has been a long time coming for Alvaro Arbeloa.
While the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard claim the headlines with their important goals and similarly newsworthy injuries, the unassuming Arbeloa has gone about his business with the minimum of fuss.
It was only with his well-taken strike in injury time against West Bromwich Albion last month that the 25-year-old attracted any significant attention outside Merseyside.
Those closer to home, though, are aware of the consistently impressive performances that have enabled Arbeloa to become the regular right-back in Rafael Benitez’s side this season.
Witness the concern among Liverpool fans when Arbeloa was ruled of the trip to Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago, given Philipp Degen is rarely outside the treatment room and young Stephen Darby remains untried in the Premier League.
Arbeloa is pragmatic enough to realise that, despite that fan fretting, he has far from star billing among the Anfield cast. But the modest Spaniard wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I’m not bothered that the Kop don’t sing my name,” he says. “We all know who the best players are, such as Fernando and Stevie, and I’m happy that the fans sing their name.
“I’m not a star in the same way as some of the other players. Stevie, Xabi and Fernando are all massive players, whereas I’m a normal player.”
Life at Anfield hasn’t always been as content for Arbeloa.
The defender admits he initially struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after arriving from Deportivo La Coruna for £2.6million in January 2007.
It was perhaps a sign that his impressive first start against Messi was while operating at left-back, as Arbeloa found himself shunted back and forth across the back four throughout the first year of his Anfield career.
Only towards the end of last season did the Spaniard wrest his preferred right-back slot away from previous incumbent Steven Finnan, a position he has since kept a firm grip of to help Liverpool keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table and eased in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And Arbeloa believes his game has benefited from performing in a settled role.
“I did have some doubts when I first came here, but now it is much better,” he says. “I feel much more comfortable here. I am playing in my preferred position and in the same position every week.
“That is much better for my performances level because maybe when I first came here I would be playing two games on the right, five games on the left and then some games at centre-back.
“That’s good because it helps the team but it’s better for me if I can stick to one position.
“You are always happy when you can play and help the team, but you cannot do your very best when you are changing positions frequently.
“But if for example on Monday I am asked to play left-back, then it would not be a problem to me.”
There was one particular aspect of playing in defence for Liverpool that proved startlingly unique for Arbeloa.
Anyone close to the Anfield pitch will know Jamie Carragher is not shy at barking instructions at a considerable volume towards his team-mates.
And with Arbeloa often in close vicinity to the vice-caption, the Spaniard’s eardrums have taken something of a battering over the last two years.
“I know what Jamie is like!” laughs Arbeloa. “He wants to help his team-mates, and as far as I’m concerned that’s okay.
“At the beginning it was a little bit difficult to make out what he was saying, though. I’d just pretend I could understand him!
“I don’t think I’ve ever played alongside anyone quite like Jamie before. But it’s great that he is always helping me and the rest of the team.”
Arbeloa is set to make his 76th appearance for Liverpool when West Ham United visit in tonight’s Premier League encounter, with Benitez’s side looking to move clear at the top of the table after Chelsea’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal yesterday.
His strike against West Brom was only his second for the club – “I have to score at least one every two years!” reckons Arbeloa – but it’s in keeping goals from entering Liverpool’s goal that the defender is taking just as much satisfaction.
“I’m playing better than last season, but as always the most important thing is for me to help the team,” he says.
“I want to stay here for a lot more years if possible, if the club and Rafa want to do that. I’ve got the rest of this season under contract and then the next one, so maybe in the summer we can talk about a new deal.
“But right now, for me it isn’t that important. I just want to concentrate on doing well for this season.
“I am really happy to be here and I do not want for anything more… except some medals.”
While the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard claim the headlines with their important goals and similarly newsworthy injuries, the unassuming Arbeloa has gone about his business with the minimum of fuss.
It was only with his well-taken strike in injury time against West Bromwich Albion last month that the 25-year-old attracted any significant attention outside Merseyside.
Those closer to home, though, are aware of the consistently impressive performances that have enabled Arbeloa to become the regular right-back in Rafael Benitez’s side this season.
Witness the concern among Liverpool fans when Arbeloa was ruled of the trip to Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago, given Philipp Degen is rarely outside the treatment room and young Stephen Darby remains untried in the Premier League.
Arbeloa is pragmatic enough to realise that, despite that fan fretting, he has far from star billing among the Anfield cast. But the modest Spaniard wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I’m not bothered that the Kop don’t sing my name,” he says. “We all know who the best players are, such as Fernando and Stevie, and I’m happy that the fans sing their name.
“I’m not a star in the same way as some of the other players. Stevie, Xabi and Fernando are all massive players, whereas I’m a normal player.”
Life at Anfield hasn’t always been as content for Arbeloa.
The defender admits he initially struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after arriving from Deportivo La Coruna for £2.6million in January 2007.
It was perhaps a sign that his impressive first start against Messi was while operating at left-back, as Arbeloa found himself shunted back and forth across the back four throughout the first year of his Anfield career.
Only towards the end of last season did the Spaniard wrest his preferred right-back slot away from previous incumbent Steven Finnan, a position he has since kept a firm grip of to help Liverpool keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table and eased in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And Arbeloa believes his game has benefited from performing in a settled role.
“I did have some doubts when I first came here, but now it is much better,” he says. “I feel much more comfortable here. I am playing in my preferred position and in the same position every week.
“That is much better for my performances level because maybe when I first came here I would be playing two games on the right, five games on the left and then some games at centre-back.
“That’s good because it helps the team but it’s better for me if I can stick to one position.
“You are always happy when you can play and help the team, but you cannot do your very best when you are changing positions frequently.
“But if for example on Monday I am asked to play left-back, then it would not be a problem to me.”
There was one particular aspect of playing in defence for Liverpool that proved startlingly unique for Arbeloa.
Anyone close to the Anfield pitch will know Jamie Carragher is not shy at barking instructions at a considerable volume towards his team-mates.
And with Arbeloa often in close vicinity to the vice-caption, the Spaniard’s eardrums have taken something of a battering over the last two years.
“I know what Jamie is like!” laughs Arbeloa. “He wants to help his team-mates, and as far as I’m concerned that’s okay.
“At the beginning it was a little bit difficult to make out what he was saying, though. I’d just pretend I could understand him!
“I don’t think I’ve ever played alongside anyone quite like Jamie before. But it’s great that he is always helping me and the rest of the team.”
Arbeloa is set to make his 76th appearance for Liverpool when West Ham United visit in tonight’s Premier League encounter, with Benitez’s side looking to move clear at the top of the table after Chelsea’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal yesterday.
His strike against West Brom was only his second for the club – “I have to score at least one every two years!” reckons Arbeloa – but it’s in keeping goals from entering Liverpool’s goal that the defender is taking just as much satisfaction.
“I’m playing better than last season, but as always the most important thing is for me to help the team,” he says.
“I want to stay here for a lot more years if possible, if the club and Rafa want to do that. I’ve got the rest of this season under contract and then the next one, so maybe in the summer we can talk about a new deal.
“But right now, for me it isn’t that important. I just want to concentrate on doing well for this season.
“I am really happy to be here and I do not want for anything more… except some medals.”
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