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

Dec 1 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

It was perhaps a sign that his impressive first start against Messi was while operating at left-back, as Arbeloa found himself shunted back and forth across the back four throughout the first year of his Anfield career.

Only towards the end of last season did the Spaniard wrest his preferred right-back slot away from previous incumbent Steven Finnan, a position he has since kept a firm grip of to help Liverpool keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the table and eased in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

And Arbeloa believes his game has benefited from performing in a settled role.

“I did have some doubts when I first came here, but now it is much better,” he says. “I feel much more comfortable here. I am playing in my preferred position and in the same position every week.

“That is much better for my performances level because maybe when I first came here I would be playing two games on the right, five games on the left and then some games at centre-back.

“That’s good because it helps the team but it’s better for me if I can stick to one position.

“You are always happy when you can play and help the team, but you cannot do your very best when you are changing positions frequently.

“But if for example on Monday I am asked to play left-back, then it would not be a problem to me.”

There was one particular aspect of playing in defence for Liverpool that proved startlingly unique for Arbeloa.

Anyone close to the Anfield pitch will know Jamie Carragher is not shy at barking instructions at a considerable volume towards his team-mates.

And with Arbeloa often in close vicinity to the vice-caption, the Spaniard’s eardrums have taken something of a battering over the last two years.