IN PROFILE: DANI PACHECO

[Frogfish]

As Gary Ablett's reserves psych themselves up for tonight's trip to Manchester United, we continue our series taking a closer look at our second string youngsters.

Today we're talking to Spanish prodigy Daniel Pacheco, who arrived on Merseyside in the summer of 2007.

The 18-year-old hasn't featured in competitive action for the first team, but earned rave reviews for his performances during pre-season.

Pacheco's transfer continued a trend of teenagers leaving Barcelona for the Premier League.

With youngsters in Spain unable to sign professional contracts until the age of 18, starlets such as Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Francisco Merida and now Pacheco have all been snapped up by English clubs.

The forward is a regular for Liverpool Reserves, scoring on his first start against Bolton and helping them win the league in 2007-08.

What he lacks in height he makes up for in skill, weaving his magic between the lines.

Pacheco has also represented Spain Under-17s, for whom he bagged a hat-trick against San Marino in October 2007.



Who is your best friend in the dressing room?

Gerardo Bruna.

If you could take three things to a desert island?

My girlfriend and two more friends from back home.

Can you cook?

No, my family cooks for me. Pasta and meat.

Who is the longest in the shower among the ressies?

Emiliano Insua.

Favourite music?

Pop - Rihanna or things like that.

Career highlight?

Playing for Liverpool!

What are your strengths?

Playing between the lines.

Weaknesses?

I think I need to get stronger.

Favourite sport other than football?

Tennis - though I don't play much here.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My brother. I was at Malaga and he was there too with the second team. He had an opportunity to go with the first team, but at the same time I had the chance to go with Barcelona. Malaga said that if I went, my brother would also be out. But I had to go to Barcelona.

 

[MaBigTip]

More Pacheco....

[size=14pt]Spaniard eager for more[/size]

[size=12pt]Spanish ace Daniel Pacheco is eager for more first-team action after making his breakthrough this season.[/size]


While it's been a tough campaign for the Reds, the former Barcelona ace has had quite a campaign so far.

He signed a new contract that takes him up to 2012 and has played in the Champions League and Barclays Premier League.

Pacheco is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and aims to work as hard as possible to stay in Rafael Benitez's thoughts.

"It has been a really good season for me making my first-team debut which I have been looking forward to for a long time," the Reds No.47 told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"For my debut against Fiorentina it was a strange day because I only found out in the afternoon of the game I would be in the squad. David Ngog wasn't feeling well so I got a call telling me to be ready to be on the bench.

"I didn't have enough time to get nervous and think about the game so I was quite relaxed.

"When I got the call to come on, the manager told me to play between the lines and work hard. He told me to relax and play my normal game.

"The only bad thing was we lost the game but it was an amazing day for me and like a dream."

Pacheco also nearly made it the best possible debut when he almost scored with his first touch.

"I felt confident when I hit the ball from the edge of the box but it was a good save by their keeper," he added.

"We might have been out of the Champions League but it was amazing to play at Anfield in front of all our supporters."

A debut might have come earlier this season but an international call-up by Spain prevented him from featuring in both Carling Cup games against Leeds United and Arsenal.

"I was a little unlucky but when the national team calls you up you have to go," he said.

Another first-team chance arrived on Boxing Day when he came on as an 85th minute substitute for Alberto Aquilani.

"I knew I might have a chance of playing for the first team again when the club told me I was staying here for Christmas and not going back home to Spain," he revealed.

"This was the best Christmas present in my life to stay here and play for the first team at Anfield.

"The fans were really good to me and gave me a great reception. That means a lot, especially as a young player because they give you a lot of confidence.

"My family came over to stay with me in Liverpool and went to the game, so it was a perfect day.

"I need to keep working harder than ever before now and keep improving. I also want to help the reserve team win the league this season."

Pachecho's first-team chances have resulted from his consistent displays for John McMahon's table-topping reserve team.

The Spaniard has been playing in an experimental attacking central midfield role and he feels he has benefitted greatly from it.

"I am enjoying it because I get more of the ball and I can try and create chances for my teammates," he added.

"It has also helped my game when I don't have the ball because I have to work hard and give 100 per cent all of the time.

"I do believe this has improved my game. I play the ball a lot more simple now as before I was giving the ball away a bit too much.

"My best position is playing just off the striker between the lines. I don't think I could play central midfield in the Premier League as you need to be a little bit stronger and taller."

- the offal

 

[Le Chacal]

It would be nice if he was given a proper chance.

 

[MaBigTip]

Im darn sure he will get one. The guy oozes class and the fact that he has been able to adapt to a more central midfield position in the reserves will have impressed Rafa to no end.

 

[ILD]

Hope he makes it, if even for his brother who sacrificed his own career for his brother.

 

[monsieurdantes]

he left barca so that sacrifice was in vain. in fact its highly likely his brother resents him now after been sold all the "it's my dream to play for barca, wah wah waaah" bullshit

he made a fool of his own brother

 

[ILD]

He might aswel have taken his brothers kidney while he's was at it.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=monsieurdantes link=topic=30890.msg1030107#msg1030107 date=1262988522]
he left barca so that sacrifice was in vain. in fact its highly likely his brother resents him now after been sold all the "it's my dream to play for barca, wah wah waaah" bullshit

he made a fool of his own brother
[/quote]

His brother was clearly shit. Fuck his crappy brother.

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=30890.msg1030220#msg1030220 date=1263026360]
[quote author=monsieurdantes link=topic=30890.msg1030107#msg1030107 date=1262988522]
he left barca so that sacrifice was in vain. in fact its highly likely his brother resents him now after been sold all the "it's my dream to play for barca, wah wah waaah" bullshit

he made a fool of his own brother
[/quote]

His brother was clearly shit. Fuck his crappy brother.
[/quote]

If his brother was any good, Arsenal would clearly have signed him by now.

 

[MaBigTip]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/eseason/News-and-Interviews/09-10/Pacheco-exclusi-16113.php3

really hope this is the striking partner for Torres

 

[KopKing]

People should remember that Pacheco is an untried, talented prospect. He's slight and not physically ready for Premiership football. I'm sure the breakthrough will come, but now is not his time.

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=KopKing link=topic=30890.msg1031510#msg1031510 date=1263234487]
People should remember that Pacheco is an untried, talented prospect. He's slight and not physically ready for Premiership football. I'm sure the breakthrough will come, but now is not his time.
[/quote]

Having said that, with Voronin's departure, theres now a vacancy in the squad so he'll get chances in the Europa League, possibly this season.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=KopKing link=topic=30890.msg1031517#msg1031517 date=1263235236]
[quote author=KopKing link=topic=30890.msg1031510#msg1031510 date=1263234487]
People should remember that Pacheco is an untried, talented prospect. He's slight and not physically ready for Premiership football. I'm sure the breakthrough will come, but now is not his time.
[/quote]

Having said that, with Voronin's departure, theres now a vacancy in the squad so he'll get chances in the Europa League, possibly this season.
[/quote]

He looks like he's bulked up, a lot.

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=30890.msg1031518#msg1031518 date=1263235428]
[quote author=KopKing link=topic=30890.msg1031517#msg1031517 date=1263235236]
[quote author=KopKing link=topic=30890.msg1031510#msg1031510 date=1263234487]
People should remember that Pacheco is an untried, talented prospect. He's slight and not physically ready for Premiership football. I'm sure the breakthrough will come, but now is not his time.
[/quote]

Having said that, with Voronin's departure, theres now a vacancy in the squad so he'll get chances in the Europa League, possibly this season.
[/quote]

He looks like he's bulked up, a lot.
[/quote]

Wow...he was even skinnier??

 

[mark1975]

Soz just watched the video, I meant when he made his sub appearance, he looked like he'd bulked up.