by GYBS » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:54 pm
Italian defender Andrea Dossena believes he has put his troubled first months at Liverpool FC behind him after he followed up his strike against Real Madrid CF with a goal in Saturday's 4-1 win at Manchester United FC.
Precious payback
The six-timed capped international came off the bench to make only his 13th Premier League appearance for the Reds at the weekend, registering in the last minute at Old Trafford to follow up his late strike in the 4-0 UEFA Champions League first knockout round win against Madrid last week, scored four minutes after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute. "It made me very happy, of course," Dossena said. "It has been a tough fight to get into this team but if you work hard every day and don't give up, even in bad times, you get these moments and makes it worthwhile."
Reds retreat
Dossena, 27, joined Liverpool from Serie A side Udinese Calcio last July as a direct replacement for the AS Roma-bound John Arne Riise and has had to adapt to a less attacking role than he was used to at the Stadio Friuli. "Compared to last season, I have changed my position - I have gone back 20 metres," he said. "This change and adapting to English football gave me some difficulties to start with, but with the help of a great coach like Rafael Benítez, I'm starting to understand how to play in the team. You adapt to step by step."
‘Never say never'
This is Dossena's first taste of football outside of Italy in a ten-year career and despite a lack of first-team opportunities at Liverpool, the Lodi-born player appears determined to see out his contract at Anfield, though he has not ruled out a return to Serie A in the future. "I have a three-year contract and I am happy here," he said. "Of course, I keep an eye on Italy - it's my homeland, so never say never. But as I said, I feel very good here after a difficult start. I will discuss it with Benítez and the club and then we will see."
