Friday, July 17, 2009

Glen Johnson Lives Reds Dream

Glen Johnson has spoken of his pride after pulling on a red shirt for the first time.

The most expensive defender in Liverpool’s history fulfilled a childhood dream when he took to the field for Rafa Benitez’s side in the second half of last night’s goalless draw with St Gallen.

Johnson was happy with the way his run out went in Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly and thanked his team-mates for helping him to settle in quickly.

“Pulling that shirt on for the first time definitely lived up to my expectations,” said Liverpool’s £16m right-back.

“I know it was only a friendly game but it was my chance to finally get that shirt on my back so I’m really pleased about that.

“But obviously the big thing for me now is the thought of playing for Liverpool at Anfield – I can’t wait for that.

“The lads have been brilliant to me since I got here. It isn’t easy when you move to a new club and when I first arrived I think there were about 50 professionals there.

“Obviously it’s hard to remember all of their names straight away but the lads have been fantastic from the start.

“It’s nice when you know a couple before you start, as was the case for me.

“But, like I said, absolutely everyone has been great to me.”

Johnson played the entire second half in an unfamiliar left-back role, a position he has also been filling in during sessions at Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Badra Gaz.

Benitez told the ECHO the temporary positional switch is designed to bring the best out of the 24-year old defensively.

“Johnson did well,” said the Reds boss. “I was using him on the left because he has to think more about his defending there.

“We know that he is really good going forward and in this game he played well in defence and well in attack so it was good.

“If he is playing left-back it means he cannot go in attack in the same way because he is not quite as comfortable with his left foot as he is with his right so this means he will think more about defending.”

Ever the perfectionist, Benitez may have been delighted to see his team create chances in their first friendly but he was unimpressed with the two or three opportunities they allowed the Swiss side.

“The team was good in attack and we created some chances which is always good,” he added. “I am a little disappointed because we gifted them three chances but then it is pre-season, we have a lot of new players so the understanding is not where it needs to be yet and neither is the fitness.”

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