With Liverpool's reserves preparing to face Blackburn Rovers tonight in a match you can see live on LFC TV, we caught up with goalkeeper David Martin to find out how much he's enjoying life with the Reds.
The Romford born stopper was signed from MK Dons in January 2006 and comes from a footballing background, being the son of former West Ham captain Alvin Martin.
In his first season with the reserve team he kept eight clean sheets from 13 starts and is a regular member of Gary Ablett's team.
With Charles Itandje nursing a slight knock Martin has been on the first team bench recently and it's an experience he wants more of in the future.
Liverpoolfc.tv: First of all David how's the season going for you so far?
David Martin: This season has been very good for me actually. It started off with me going with the first team to Hong Kong in pre-season. I have also been training with the first team this season as well which has been brilliant.
That must have been some experience travelling to the Far East and seeing the fan base Liverpool have over there...
It was a fantastic trip. From the moment when I got on the plane and we were in the first class area with through to when we arrived at the airport and there were screaming fans to greet us, everything was just amazing. I was very nervous because it was the first big tour I had been on and everyone treated me really well. It was a bit hot though!
You joined the club from MK Dons in January 2006, how would you describe your time at the club during that period?
It's been a lot different to what I was used to. When I was at MK Dons it was like what I call a typical traditional English club. Being a goalkeeper I didn't train with the outfield players much during their training sessions, but I remember my first day training at Liverpool and I had to play outfield. I was playing more outfield than in goal which took a little while to get used to, and I think I got worse before I got better, but I enjoy it now. It helps you improve as a player and as a goalkeeper.
When you first came to the club how difficult was it adjusting to life at a top Premier League club?
The main difference here is the professionalism at Liverpool is just on another level. It makes you realise where you are and how big a club this is and what it stands for.
What's it like working with Pepe Reina on a daily basis at Melwood and how much do you learn from him?
I work with Pepe and every day I feel like I can pick something up from him, like the way he is mentally so strong. For me he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Is he a big help to you?
Yes, he is very calm and he takes everything in his stride and makes everything look so easy.
Does he practice saving penalties in training?
Yes he does all of the time. We have a penalty saving competition and there's a bottle of wine as a prize as well. I haven't won one yet but I'm determined to win it one day!
You also have a new goalkeeping coach this season in Xavi Valero. What's he like to work with and how does he differ to the previous coach Jose Ochotorena?
Ocho was very good but I didn't get the chance to work with him as much as I would have liked because I was training with the reserves. I feel really comfortable working with Xavi and he has really helped me and improved me. Everyone expects you to improve so you don't need to be told. You just have to believe in yourself.
When you have seen Charles Itandje given a chance in the Carling Cup this season have you had a sense of frustration in that it could have been you?
Not frustration but you always think in the back of your mind what would I have done differently and so on. To be fair I thought Charles did very well against Reading and Cardiff. Working with Pepe and Charles can only improve my game.
You have been on the first team bench quite a number of times, how much do you enjoy that experience?
It has been enjoyable but also nervous at the same time. I do have the self belief though to think that if I did get a chance to come on then I could do a good job. Last season when I was on loan at Accrington Stanley I played eight games. Although it wasn't at Premier League level it was still in the first team environment. All I can do is keep working hard and keep improving.
Is that your burning desire, to one day make the first team here?
Yes. I know it will be hard because this is such a big club and there will always be money available to bring a more experienced player in. I've always got hope and football is a funny thing because it can change quickly from one day to another so you've got to wait and see what happens.
You ended last season on loan at Accrington Stanley when you helped them stay up. Is another loan spell something that would benefit you in the near future?
Maybe. Ideally I want to play at the highest level I can. Every player wants to play and I am no different but I am happy with the way things are going at the moment. I'm training every day with one of the best keepers in the world so that is good for me.
You are a regular member of Gary Ablett's reserve team. How has the season gone so far?
It's been a decent start. We have got a very young squad this season and I'm one of the oldest members of the team now! We have got a few exciting players and we we have played some good football so far.
What's Gary like to work with?
Gary is great. He's a good coach and he always tries to make the training sessions enjoyable which is a good way to learn.
Just in front of you there's a variety of nations with Paraguayan, Spanish and Argentine defenders. How do you communicate with them?
I think the main thing is to keep it short and sharp. Sometimes you can tell they don't understand what you are saying, so you just have to try and make your point in a way they do.
You won your last game against Newcastle in what was a pretty decent performance overall..
It was a game when I didn't have a lot to do to be honest. I had a couple of crosses to deal with and a few decisions where I had to come off my line. Sometimes it's good to have a quiet game but I prefer to be busy because then you get more of a chance to show what you can do.
You have another home game tonight against Blackburn Rovers. How much are you looking forward to it?
Every time we go out onto the pitch we only want one thing and that is to win. We are Liverpool and it's all about winning. Gary always drums that into us and it's great to have a winning mentality.
He looks a quality keeper and one certianly for the future, i suspect he is one of the reasons Liverpool will be lloking to make a good buck from the Sale of Scott Carson
The Romford born stopper was signed from MK Dons in January 2006 and comes from a footballing background, being the son of former West Ham captain Alvin Martin.
In his first season with the reserve team he kept eight clean sheets from 13 starts and is a regular member of Gary Ablett's team.
With Charles Itandje nursing a slight knock Martin has been on the first team bench recently and it's an experience he wants more of in the future.
Liverpoolfc.tv: First of all David how's the season going for you so far?
David Martin: This season has been very good for me actually. It started off with me going with the first team to Hong Kong in pre-season. I have also been training with the first team this season as well which has been brilliant.
That must have been some experience travelling to the Far East and seeing the fan base Liverpool have over there...
It was a fantastic trip. From the moment when I got on the plane and we were in the first class area with through to when we arrived at the airport and there were screaming fans to greet us, everything was just amazing. I was very nervous because it was the first big tour I had been on and everyone treated me really well. It was a bit hot though!
You joined the club from MK Dons in January 2006, how would you describe your time at the club during that period?
It's been a lot different to what I was used to. When I was at MK Dons it was like what I call a typical traditional English club. Being a goalkeeper I didn't train with the outfield players much during their training sessions, but I remember my first day training at Liverpool and I had to play outfield. I was playing more outfield than in goal which took a little while to get used to, and I think I got worse before I got better, but I enjoy it now. It helps you improve as a player and as a goalkeeper.
When you first came to the club how difficult was it adjusting to life at a top Premier League club?
The main difference here is the professionalism at Liverpool is just on another level. It makes you realise where you are and how big a club this is and what it stands for.
What's it like working with Pepe Reina on a daily basis at Melwood and how much do you learn from him?
I work with Pepe and every day I feel like I can pick something up from him, like the way he is mentally so strong. For me he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Is he a big help to you?
Yes, he is very calm and he takes everything in his stride and makes everything look so easy.
Does he practice saving penalties in training?
Yes he does all of the time. We have a penalty saving competition and there's a bottle of wine as a prize as well. I haven't won one yet but I'm determined to win it one day!
You also have a new goalkeeping coach this season in Xavi Valero. What's he like to work with and how does he differ to the previous coach Jose Ochotorena?
Ocho was very good but I didn't get the chance to work with him as much as I would have liked because I was training with the reserves. I feel really comfortable working with Xavi and he has really helped me and improved me. Everyone expects you to improve so you don't need to be told. You just have to believe in yourself.
When you have seen Charles Itandje given a chance in the Carling Cup this season have you had a sense of frustration in that it could have been you?
Not frustration but you always think in the back of your mind what would I have done differently and so on. To be fair I thought Charles did very well against Reading and Cardiff. Working with Pepe and Charles can only improve my game.
You have been on the first team bench quite a number of times, how much do you enjoy that experience?
It has been enjoyable but also nervous at the same time. I do have the self belief though to think that if I did get a chance to come on then I could do a good job. Last season when I was on loan at Accrington Stanley I played eight games. Although it wasn't at Premier League level it was still in the first team environment. All I can do is keep working hard and keep improving.
Is that your burning desire, to one day make the first team here?
Yes. I know it will be hard because this is such a big club and there will always be money available to bring a more experienced player in. I've always got hope and football is a funny thing because it can change quickly from one day to another so you've got to wait and see what happens.
You ended last season on loan at Accrington Stanley when you helped them stay up. Is another loan spell something that would benefit you in the near future?
Maybe. Ideally I want to play at the highest level I can. Every player wants to play and I am no different but I am happy with the way things are going at the moment. I'm training every day with one of the best keepers in the world so that is good for me.
You are a regular member of Gary Ablett's reserve team. How has the season gone so far?
It's been a decent start. We have got a very young squad this season and I'm one of the oldest members of the team now! We have got a few exciting players and we we have played some good football so far.
What's Gary like to work with?
Gary is great. He's a good coach and he always tries to make the training sessions enjoyable which is a good way to learn.
Just in front of you there's a variety of nations with Paraguayan, Spanish and Argentine defenders. How do you communicate with them?
I think the main thing is to keep it short and sharp. Sometimes you can tell they don't understand what you are saying, so you just have to try and make your point in a way they do.
You won your last game against Newcastle in what was a pretty decent performance overall..
It was a game when I didn't have a lot to do to be honest. I had a couple of crosses to deal with and a few decisions where I had to come off my line. Sometimes it's good to have a quiet game but I prefer to be busy because then you get more of a chance to show what you can do.
You have another home game tonight against Blackburn Rovers. How much are you looking forward to it?
Every time we go out onto the pitch we only want one thing and that is to win. We are Liverpool and it's all about winning. Gary always drums that into us and it's great to have a winning mentality.
He looks a quality keeper and one certianly for the future, i suspect he is one of the reasons Liverpool will be lloking to make a good buck from the Sale of Scott Carson
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