Luis Garcia happy with first season.

By Redsfan
April 11 2005

Luis Garcia says his first year in England has surpassed all of his expectations but thinks next year is the time to judge him and the team.

He has scored ten goals this season including Liverpool’s best of the season against Juve last week, but knows he can do better.

"A lot of teams think we are not good enough to be in quarter-finals of the Champions League or to finish fourth in the Premiership but we are proving people wrong, especially when we play at Anfield," claimed the Liverpool No.10. "We can't think about winning the cup yet, it is far too soon, but we have to be confident. We have proved we can beat anybody on our day, home or away. We did it at Leverkusen so why not in Turin against Juventus?

"We are in a better position than Juve. We don't have to score, they do. That means we can wait and look to counter-attack, look to pinch one."


Although not looking past the second leg against Juventus Garcia believes that winning the CL would definitely keep Steven Gerrard at Liverpool for a long time to come.

"Winning the European Cup would almost certainly persuade Steven not to move," he continued. "There are too many rumours around Steven. I think he has things clear in his mind and I think he wants to stay in Liverpool for a long time. That is the most important thing for all the supporters and the team because he is such an important player for us and he says he wants to stay. He is one of the best players in the world and wants to win trophies, which is natural.


"But he has seen we are building a very good, strong team at Liverpool for next season when we think we will be a real threat. We know we still have a chance of success this season but we can't think of the Champions League final just yet as there is still a long way but we have proved we can beat anyone."

While Garcia sees the usual consistency of Steven Gerrard he also believes his own form is getting better and hopes the patience of most fans will be rewarded by seeing the real Luis Garcia.

"I know a few of the fans haven't taken to me but I am not that kind of player and they have to understand that. There is no point me trying to out-muscle a player who is much heavier than me. I have to adapt, try a trick or find another way to beat them. It was difficult to get used to that when I first came here. I found that if I was elbowed in the head by a player here I would get booked for head butting his elbow.

"I have to find a way to adapt and I have tried to do it quickly but it is my first season and it will take time. I dreamed my first year would go well but I never imagined it would be like this. I have scored goals and played in the first final of my life, against Chelsea in the Carling Cup.

"We are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in my first year in the competition and I think the whole team would only have thought about trying to finish fourth in the Premiership at the beginning of the season. But this year was always about building. Next season will be different. All the people that arrived this year are settled now and I think we can be a real force next year."