Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Brad Jones: First Liverpool Interview

Brad Jones hopes his Anfield debut turns out better than his last outing in front of the Kop.

The Aussie stopper - who is finalising the formalities of his move to Liverpool - was beaten by what he describes as a 'Stevie G worldy' when he visited Merseyside with Middlesbrough in April 2005.
The game left a lasting impression on Jones, whose mother is Scouse.
"It was brilliant up until Stevie G scored an absolute worldy against me. He did what he does best and it was a screamer," said the 28-year-old in an interview which can now be watched in full on LFCTV Online.
"The one memory I have is from when Stevie scored the goal: before I'd even hit the floor from diving I couldn't hear anything. The noise was unbelievable.
"I also got applauded by the Kop and I wasn't expecting it. It was a bit of a surprise. That was nice.
"Before the game I had goosebumps listening to You'll Never Walk Alone. I dare say it will be even better when I do it as a Liverpool player.
"I've stepped out as an opposition player and I think stepping out as a Liverpool player would be an ambition I can tick off my list. When it comes it'll be a dream come true."
Jones walking out at Anfield will also be a proud moment for his Liverpudlian mum.
"Mum's over the moon, as is my granddad," said Australia international. "It's nice. I have family round here, so it's nice to be in a familiar area.
"It's 50/50 in the family between Liverpool and Everton, but I'm sticking to the red side.
"Obviously rumours fly around but I heard of the interest a couple of weeks ago. Growing up with a mum who's a Scouser, Liverpool was drilled into me and Liverpool's my team.
"It didn't take too long to think coming here through!"
Jones was at Anfield to watch the Reds draw 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday.
It left him even more desperate to don a Liverpool shirt for the first time - but he admits Roy Hodgson has not made him any promises about first-team football.
"Watching the game the other day, the atmosphere was unbelievable. I'm just looking forward to being a part of it," said Jones.
"It's got to help you - an atmosphere like that, fans like that. I just sat there in awe on Sunday.
"They've told me they want me to do what I do and put pressure on Pepe Reina and Diego Cavalieri. That's fine, I'm happy to do that. I've got to give it a go.
"Roy Hodgson hasn't promised anything and I would never expect that from a manager. It's up to me to work hard and make his decisions for him."
Jones trained with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday morning and now faces the daunting task of trying to oust a man regarded as one of the world's best goalkeepers.
Despite there being less than a year between them in age, the former Middlesbrough man accepts he can learn plenty from World Cup winner Reina.
"It's not going to be easy to get past Pepe. He's shown over the last couple of years how good he is. You don't play for the clubs he's played for and the tournaments he's played in and not be world class.
"Obviously that side of it is going to be tough but I'll do what I can and try to put a bit of pressure on him.
"Age-wise we're the same but not experience-wise. He started at Barcelona very young and has played for some big clubs. There's going to be aspects that I'll learn from him and I'm looking forward to working with him."
The settling in process will be made easier for Jones by the presence of Liverpool's new Australian-led medical team, many of whom he knows through the Socceroos.
"Yes, I obviously know them very well and have spent a fair bit of time with them over the last few years," said the goalkeeper. "I was with them just before the World Cup. It's good to have familiar faces and people who I can ask for directions!"
Despite playing for Australia, Jones counts as a homegrown player due to his mum being English and his dad having a British passport.
He said: "Obviously with my mum being English and my dad having a British passport, that's helped me come over in the first place - and now it helps me with the new rules because I'm homegrown."

No comments:

Post a Comment