Brendan Rodgers’ football philosophy was key to my Anfield move, says Luis AlbertoBrendan Rodgers' football philosophy was key to Luis Alberto swapping La Liga for Liverpool FC.
The new Reds signing completed his £6m switch on Saturday after a hugely successful season in Spain which saw him score 11 and create a further 17 goals.
And the 20-year-old believes the style of play Rodgers is introducing at Anfield will help him make a smooth transition between the two football cultures.
"I came to the club because of the manager,” explained Alberto in his first interview since signing. “I came here because of the style of football he plays.
“I don’t have a favourite position – it depends on the team’s tactics really. I like to move about and I don’t mind where I play.
“I like to play with freedom. I’m a technical player. I provide assists and in the penalty area I score goals.”
Boss Rodgers was just as confident Alberto can quickly make the transition.
“He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player,” said the Reds boss.
“I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club.
“He’s another Coutinho-type. We brought in young Philippe Coutinho in January when he was 20 years of age but he had good experience and more importantly fitted the profile of what we’re trying to do here and what we’re trying to build.
“Young Luis is exactly the same – a talented, very highly-rated young player when he was at Sevilla, but obviously spent last season at Barcelona B.
“He’s a big talent and one for now that can play. He’s got competitive games behind him and is one we see progressing over the next few years.
“Importantly, he knows the type of game and model we’re trying to work in.”
After operating in the Spanish Second Division for Barcelona’s B team last season, Alberto admitted he was ecstatic at the opportunity he had been given by Rodgers.
Barca declined to take up their option to sign the youngster and Liverpool, who have monitored his performances for some time, swooped.
The youngster, however, admitted he had been taken by surprise by the Reds’ interest.
“I was surprised,” he admitted. “You never expect this to happen to you. But as the deal moved forward, I became very happy and I wanted to come to Liverpool.
“I feel like I’m in a bubble at the moment.
“For me Liverpool is a top team. I feel like I am dreaming and I want to enjoy it to the full.
“I feel very excited, I’ve never felt so excited before but I’m very happy. I think I am the happiest man on earth.
“I have come here to enjoy moments with the supporters – and I know the supporters will help me to never walk alone.
“I hope that between us all we can make this club one of the greatest in the world, once again.”
Alberto came through Sevilla’s academy and made his first-team debut in April 2011 before going out on loan.
He is already relishing the opportunity to play at Anfield in front of the Kop.
“The first thing I would like to do is play at Anfield and I would love to score a goal on my debut,” he said. “My aim is for the team to finish as high as possible. It’s an adventure which I want to enjoy to the maximum.
“I learned quite a lot at Barcelona. It has a very good philosophy. You learn a lot from a football point of view. You also learn a lot about how to behave on and off the field.
“But Liverpool is a good challenge, knowing the Spanish players that played here set a high standard and I too want to do the same.
“Melwood is another world, but it is beautiful and an ideal place to work and to continue to progress.”
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