Interviews with Arbeloa and Mascherano.

Both taken from http://liverpoolfc.tv, the official club website.

20 Questions with Alvaro Arbeloa

How is your English coming along?

It's better than it was last season but I have a long way to go. I don't have that much confidence speaking in English yet, even though I'm having more lessons this season than I was last year. I have to keep learning and keep doing my best though because at Melwood you have to speak English. Rafa is always on at me to 'speak English', 'speak English'!

Who are your best friends at the club?

I have a lot of friends at Anfield but am probably closest to Mascherano, Benayoun and Paletta, even though he's gone now. Sometimes we get together away from football, but it's far more traditional to go out with teammates in Spain than it is over here.

Who is the funniest player in the dressing room?

That's easy – Jermaine Pennant. He is always making jokes or singing or dancing.

Why have you changed your squad number from 2 to 17?

Because 17 has always been my number. It was the number I wore when I was captain of Castilla and also when I was at Depor. When I came to Liverpool Craig Bellamy wore that shirt so I couldn't have it, so when he left I asked if I could switch numbers and thankfully it was possible.

What music do you like?

I like Latino music mostly, like Shakira. Now that I'm in Liverpool I have to say I quite like the Beatles, but my dad is a much bigger fan of them than me.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

A lot of people have helped me to get where I am today. I owe a lot to my parents and my two brothers as well as my girlfriend. The most important thing in anybody's life is always their family. It's quite difficult for my family having me in another country but they are happy that I am doing well at a big club like Liverpool.

What are Liverpool's chances of winning the league this year?

I think we have a good chance but it's going to be very difficult. We have a good team and a big squad so we can definitely compete with the other sides. At the moment we are just taking things game to game and if we're still in with a chance with five or ten games to go then we might be able to start talking about winning the Premier League.

How comfortable have you felt playing at left back for the team?

I feel good in that position and think that I'm playing better with each game. I'd only ever played there for a couple of games so I'm having to learn quickly. I played in Spain at centre back but my favourite position is at right back. Just getting into the Liverpool team is a big enough challenge so I don't mind where the boss asks me to play.

How pleased were you with your performance against Lionel Messi at Barcelona last season?

It was very difficult because Messi is a big player in their team and it was obviously going to be hard to play against him, especially in an unfamiliar position in my first game for the club. I was very happy with the way the whole night went. I was pleased with my performance and of course the result was fantastic for everyone at the club.

Do you have any pre-match superstitions?

Not really. I probably do the same things before every game but it's nothing to do with superstition, it's more a habit.

Do you understand Scousers yet?

Not at all. I haven't a clue what people are saying some of the time. It's very difficult to understand some of the players, particularly Stevie and Carra. I'm sure it'll get easier for me in time, but it is a big struggle at the moment.

What do you do when you're not playing football?

I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend. Sometimes I will play on my PlayStation 3 as well. In Spain it was always good fun to play 'Paddle' – a game which is a mixture of tennis, squash and racquet-ball. It's not so well known over here.

How have you found adapting to the Premier League and how does the football here compare to La Liga?

It's very different in many ways. The Premier League is much more physical and the referee doesn't seem to give as many fouls as in Spain. I think I have settled in well considering I've only been here for a short time. The more I play the better I will become.

What do you miss most about life in Spain and what is the best thing about living in England?

Obviously I miss my family. I'm sure they are pleased for me that I am doing well in this country but it can be tough being away from them. Also over here places close much earlier than they do in Spain which can take a bit of getting used to. I am enjoying living in England though, especially as the football side is going well.

How did you feel when you heard Rafa wanted to sign you?

I was very surprised but very happy. It was always very important for me at some stage in my career to play for one of the biggest clubs and have the chance to play Champions League football. I've always liked English football and when Rafa arrived here there was a big interest in Liverpool from Spain and so naturally they were a club we all kept an eye on. From my point of view, it was an honour to be asked to come here.

Who will be the most influential player for the team this year?

Steven Gerrard because he is our best player. He was a player I always knew about because he is such a big name, but it's only when you work with him every day in training that you see how good he really is.

Have you always been a defender?

Yes, always. When I was much younger - maybe eight or nine years of age - I had a go as a striker but I was always much better at the back.

Who was your idol when you were growing up?

Zinedine Zidane, simply because he's one of the best players to ever play the game. He was a joy to watch. I don't quite have his skills myself, but that doesn't mean you can't appreciate someone of such talent.

Which three words best describe Liverpool FC?

Supporters, Anfield and history are the three which first come into my mind. The fans are the best and when they sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' it's an amazing sound. The stadium is incredible because the supporters are able to create such a great atmosphere and, of course, the history and tradition of the club speaks for itself.

How keen are you to play for Spain?

Everyone wants to play for their country and I'm no different. I'd like it to happen one day, but whether it does or not I don't know.

Javier Mascherano: The Big Interview

We last spoke in February when you first arrived on Merseyside. How pleased are you when you look back on the last six months?

I'm very happy. I got to play in a lot of games for Liverpool last season, and important games too. I played in a Champions League final - amazing. Also the semi-final against Chelsea, that was special. It all happened so quickly for me, so yes, I'm very pleased. Things couldn't have gone better.

Quite a turnaround from the way things were going at West Ham?
Yes. I think this is because the manager has confidence in me - very important. Rafa has helped me a lot. I was not playing at West Ham, but he came to London and he told me I could play for Liverpool, told me I could play in a good team. He said he needed me. When you are not getting a game for West Ham and the Liverpool manager is talking about you, you can't believe it. It is for this reason I am very happy here.

And you can talk with him in Spanish – that must help?

I arrived at West Ham and was in another country with another language and a different culture. It's a lot easier here because the manager is Spanish. I can talk with him, though not a lot because he likes to speak English. The lessons are going well, but I find that here in Liverpool the people are hard to understand. Scousers - it's very difficult.

Which players helped you settle in?

All my new teammates were great with me, helping me adapt to this new life here at another club. Up until a week or two ago I did everything with Gabby Paletta. I was with him all the time, but now I talk a lot with Sebastian Leto and also Alvaro Arbeloa. All the players at Liverpool are good, the atmosphere is great. You can talk to anyone.

So, you've been at the club a few months, your time in England hasn't been all that great, and all of a sudden you're playing in a Champions League final. Were you having to pinch yourself?

I couldn't believe what was happening. In six months at West Ham I'd played five or six games. It was very difficult for me to even go to training everyday, because I knew no matter what I would never play. The situation was very difficult. Then when I arrived here I still thought it was going to be very difficult for me to play, because Liverpool were one of the biggest clubs in the world and they already had Momo Sissoko, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso in the midfield. When I got my opportunity, all I could do was try to do my best, but it was easier because I knew the people here rated me.

And you got the fans on side pretty much straight away. Now they sing that we've got the best midfield in the world. Can you sing it?

[Laughs] No, but I know the words – the one about Momo Sissoko, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano. I can hear them sing it and it makes me feel good. Like you said, I've been here just six months, so to have the fans sing my name already is just great. The Liverpool fans are fantastic – I have never seen anything like them at Anfield. No other fans sing like them, it's incredible.

Having the best midfield in the world means you sometimes have to sit out – how does it feel when you're sat on the bench?

Everybody wants to play football, but Liverpool have two players in every position. This is needed because we have four competitions to play in and we want to win them all. If this means I have to go to the bench sometimes, that's not important. What is important is that when I play, I have to play really good. The manager has to know I can do well when he needs me.

You mention there's two players in each position. Your direct rival as a sitting midfielder, if you like, is Xabi Alonso. Not an easy man to get out of the team, is he?

He is fantastic. I see that every day in training. I think he is one of the best midfielders in the world. The passes and the class – really good.

Then there's Lucas Leiva. He's arrived from Brazil but the Liverpool fans haven't seen a lot of him yet. How good can he be?
I played against him in Brazil when he was with Gremio and I was at Corinthians. He gave me a tough game, so I know he is a really good player. But when you arrive in another country you have new teammates and you have to learn a language. Maybe you have to play in a different way, so you need time.

One of your fellow midfielders, Momo Sissoko, got his first Liverpool goal a week ago. What were you thinking when that went in? How long are we going to have to wait for your first strike?

It was fantastic. He is a really good person, and a big man. As for me, maybe I haven't got a goal, but I've never scored many throughout my career. It would be fantastic to score for Liverpool but sometimes it's hard from my position. I will try but I don't know if I can do it.

You got a couple of goals this summer in the Copa America, but like the Champions League, that ended in defeat in the final. How has that affected you?

To big involved in two great finals and not win one, it's very disappointing. The Champions League final is the dream for any player, and the Copa America is very important for my country. I was very disappointed - I am very disappointed.

Do these disappointments make you more determined to win things with Liverpool this year?

I don't know if it makes me more determined. When you lose in football, you can't turn back time and change anything. All I can look at is the four trophies Liverpool can win. I think this season we can win any trophy we are in, because we have a very good squad and have made a good start.

I want to talk to you about life at Melwood. In any squad you get vocal players and those who are quiet. Where do you fit in?

I'm quiet, very much so. Everyone is like that here really. I like it in this city because it's relaxed and quiet. Life is good in Liverpool. I don't go out too much. My life is at home playing with my daughter.

Who are the more vocal members of the squad?

Carra is talking and Jermaine Pennant is always happy. He is very funny.

Do your teammates have a nickname for you?

I don't have one. Arbeloa has one: we call him 'Vareta Fly'. I don't know why, I think that's just what they call him in Spain. We call John Riise 'Ginger' [Laughs].

Does he not mind?

[Still laughing] No, no. Everyone shouts 'Ginger, Ginger', I don't know what he thinks!

Which of your teammates do you have in your mobile phone?

Arbeloa, Leto and Yossi Benayoun. Yossi is my friend because we were at West Ham together for six months, and he helped me a lot there. I think that's it.

Is there anyone in training you don't look forward to tackling?

Sometimes, but training isn't really like that. You don't want to injure anyone. You work so hard running and doing weights, but when you play football 11 against 11, or seven on seven, you are not tackling hard.

Okay, finally, pick your LFC five-a-side team?

Stevie Gerrard, Pepe, Carra, Xabi and Dirk Kuyt. Dirk is fantastic, I like him. He works very hard in every game and every training session. He has class and is technically good – a fantastic player, for me.

You're not including yourself?

[Laughs] No, no way.