Liverpool v West Ham preview: Arbeloa happy to shun the limelight

Dec 1 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

FOR someone who marked no less a talent than Lionel Messi out of the game on his full Liverpool debut, recognition has been a long time coming for Alvaro Arbeloa.

While the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard claim the headlines with their important goals and similarly newsworthy injuries, the unassuming Arbeloa has gone about his business with the minimum of fuss.

It was only with his well-taken strike in injury time against West Bromwich Albion last month that the 25-year-old attracted any significant attention outside Merseyside.

Those closer to home, though, are aware of the consistently impressive performances that have enabled Arbeloa to become the regular right-back in Rafael Benitez’s side this season.

Witness the concern among Liverpool fans when Arbeloa was ruled of the trip to Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago, given Philipp Degen is rarely outside the treatment room and young Stephen Darby remains untried in the Premier League.

Arbeloa is pragmatic enough to realise that, despite that fan fretting, he has far from star billing among the Anfield cast. But the modest Spaniard wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I’m not bothered that the Kop don’t sing my name,” he says. “We all know who the best players are, such as Fernando and Stevie, and I’m happy that the fans sing their name.

“I’m not a star in the same way as some of the other players. Stevie, Xabi and Fernando are all massive players, whereas I’m a normal player.”

Life at Anfield hasn’t always been as content for Arbeloa.

The defender admits he initially struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after arriving from Deportivo La Coruna for £2.6million in January 2007.