Reds youngster aiming high

Pacheco wants to follow in Benayoun's footsteps

Last updated: 15th October 2008

Yossi Benayoun

Benayoun: Good example

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Teenage Liverpool midfielder Daniel Pacheco hopes some impressive performances in the reserves at Anfield can earn him another taste of the senior setup.

The former Barcelona youngster spent part of pre-season with Rafael Benitez's first-team squad and wants to emulate play-maker Yossi Benayoun.

"I was in Malaga and was expecting to just come back on July 2. But then the club rang me in June and said I had to be back earlier to start with the first team. I was surprised but of course it made me feel very good," said Pacheco.

"You always learn a lot in every session with the first team. They are massive players but they always help you and give you advice.

Spanish

"In pre-season a lot of the Spanish players were away so I was spending time with Yossi Benayoun, Fabio Aurelio and Javier Mascherano. Everyone really, but these three speak Spanish.

"Yossi knows I like to play like him. He always tells me that I'm a good player and that when I have time I can run and take players on. But he tells me that when there is no time and opposition players are close I must pass and move."

Pacheco has now taken that experience back with him into the reserves.

"Now I feel I am a good player for the reserves. Players are now looking for me as the first attacking player. I feel like I am making progress," the 17-year-old told Liverpool's official website.

"I know I have to work hard in the reserves because this is my team. If I want to get into the first-team I must first play for the reserves. Last season I had just two or three starts but now I am playing all the games."