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Le Tallec targets Reds bow

FRENCH starlet Anthony Le Tallec is confident he will be handed his Liverpool debut months ahead of schedule.

Le Tallec, who was signed by The Reds in 2002, arrived on Merseyside during the summer after Gerard Houllier allowed the teenager to spend last season on loan with former club Le Havre.

Reds boss Houllier opted to bring the striker over to England now, along with compatriot Florent Sinama-Pongolle, to continue his footballing education.

Houllier did not envisage Le Tallec to be challenging for a first-team place this season and had planned to give the 18-year-old time to acclimatise in the reserves.

But Le Tallec's impressive pre-season form has already seen him handed a place on the substitutes' bench for both Liverpool's home Premiership fixtures.

With a first-team debut within touching distance, Le Tallec admits he cannot wait for his Premiership baptism of fire.

"I'm really pleased with the start I have made here," Le Tallec told the club's website. "This is one of the most important clubs in the world and to think I am part of the first-team squad here is very exciting.

"I'm a bit surprised to be so close to the first team already but at the same time I am very excited.

"Being part of the squad is a great experience for me and isn't something I expected so soon into my career here. I did well in pre-season and that helped me a lot.

"Now I just can't wait to make some appearances in The Premiership. That's my dream and my target.

"I feel ready to play in the first-team. I want to play as many first-team games as possible this season and I want my debut to come along as quickly as possible."