GOALKEEPER Daniele Padelli is determined to earn himself a permanent move to Anfield.
The Italian Under-21s shot-stopper was signed on loan from Sampdoria last month until the end of the season.
The Reds have the option of a permanent deal in the summer and Padelli, who is the first Italian ever to sign for Liverpool, has vowed to repay the faith show in him by Rafa Benitez.
“Coming to Liverpool was a dream, and on the day I signed the dream came true,” he said. “To tell you the truth, I nearly fainted when I heard Liverpool were interested in me. It was a surprise.
“I am honoured to be the first Italian here and I hope to do well. My aim is to hold the Italian flag very high.
“I really hope to be staying beyond this season, but no one can ever be sure of anything.
“I'm not saying I am as good as any of the champions here, but my aim is to work very hard and try to achieve this.”
The 6ft 4ins keeper, who spent the first half of the season on loan with second division outfit Crotone, is looking forward to improving his game alongside Pepe Reina and Jerzy Dudek.
“Obviously Pepe and Jerzy are two great goalkeepers,” he said. “They wouldn't be at Liverpool and they wouldn't be at the level they're at without being very good.
“I will have to wait for my opportunity to shine but hopefully that will happen eventually.
“I think there is a little bit to be learned from everyone. All the players here are at a much higher level than what I've been used to.
“There are high-profile players like Gerrard and Crouch, which is amazing, but to be honest they are all of a standard which makes me really excited to play with them.
“Rafa Benitez told me that I had to come here to work seriously and to use my head. He says everyone has to earn their position.
“I didn't really follow the English league in any great detail when I was growing up, but everyone knows Liverpool are one of the great clubs of Europe and one of the great clubs of the world.
“I also knew there were a lot of champions and great players here. One thing I was aware of in Italy was how good the supporters were. Anfield is a great stadium.”
The Italian Under-21s shot-stopper was signed on loan from Sampdoria last month until the end of the season.
The Reds have the option of a permanent deal in the summer and Padelli, who is the first Italian ever to sign for Liverpool, has vowed to repay the faith show in him by Rafa Benitez.
“Coming to Liverpool was a dream, and on the day I signed the dream came true,” he said. “To tell you the truth, I nearly fainted when I heard Liverpool were interested in me. It was a surprise.
“I am honoured to be the first Italian here and I hope to do well. My aim is to hold the Italian flag very high.
“I really hope to be staying beyond this season, but no one can ever be sure of anything.
“I'm not saying I am as good as any of the champions here, but my aim is to work very hard and try to achieve this.”
The 6ft 4ins keeper, who spent the first half of the season on loan with second division outfit Crotone, is looking forward to improving his game alongside Pepe Reina and Jerzy Dudek.
“Obviously Pepe and Jerzy are two great goalkeepers,” he said. “They wouldn't be at Liverpool and they wouldn't be at the level they're at without being very good.
“I will have to wait for my opportunity to shine but hopefully that will happen eventually.
“I think there is a little bit to be learned from everyone. All the players here are at a much higher level than what I've been used to.
“There are high-profile players like Gerrard and Crouch, which is amazing, but to be honest they are all of a standard which makes me really excited to play with them.
“Rafa Benitez told me that I had to come here to work seriously and to use my head. He says everyone has to earn their position.
“I didn't really follow the English league in any great detail when I was growing up, but everyone knows Liverpool are one of the great clubs of Europe and one of the great clubs of the world.
“I also knew there were a lot of champions and great players here. One thing I was aware of in Italy was how good the supporters were. Anfield is a great stadium.”
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