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

Dec 1 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

“I know what Jamie is like!” laughs Arbeloa. “He wants to help his team-mates, and as far as I’m concerned that’s okay.

“At the beginning it was a little bit difficult to make out what he was saying, though. I’d just pretend I could understand him!

“I don’t think I’ve ever played alongside anyone quite like Jamie before. But it’s great that he is always helping me and the rest of the team.”

Arbeloa is set to make his 76th appearance for Liverpool when West Ham United visit in tonight’s Premier League encounter, with Benitez’s side looking to move clear at the top of the table after Chelsea’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal yesterday.

His strike against West Brom was only his second for the club – “I have to score at least one every two years!” reckons Arbeloa – but it’s in keeping goals from entering Liverpool’s goal that the defender is taking just as much satisfaction.

“I’m playing better than last season, but as always the most important thing is for me to help the team,” he says.

“I want to stay here for a lot more years if possible, if the club and Rafa want to do that. I’ve got the rest of this season under contract and then the next one, so maybe in the summer we can talk about a new deal.

“But right now, for me it isn’t that important. I just want to concentrate on doing well for this season.

“I am really happy to be here and I do not want for anything more… except some medals.”