'I wanted to be Stevie G'
Brighton's Alan Navarro is relishing the prospect of playing on the same Anfield turf as Steven Gerrard and admits the Liverpool skipper was the man he always sought to emulate as a footballer.
The pair trained together at youth level and Navarro signed his professional contract with the Reds at the same time as his fellow Scouser in 2000.
However, their careers would take different paths with Gerrard going on to captain the club and Navarro failing to break into the first team before heading out on loan spells to Crewe and Tranmere.
This Sunday could see him make his first ever competitive Anfield appearance and through experience he knows that Brighton will face a stern test if Gerrard is on the field.
"I came through as a full-back but then they decided to try me in midfield and I played with Steven a few times," Navarro told LFC Weekly magazine. "It was a good thing but also a bad thing because you knew that you were going to be competing for a place with Steven.
"I trained with him every day for a few seasons and he's a quality player. If he plays against us, he's going to be a constant threat. Everybody knew what he was going to go on to do. He was always head and shoulders above everyone else.
"His football, his brain, his pace, his strength, the way he tackles; everything about him was brilliant. He was the player you wanted to be."
The 31-year-old, who was named among Liverpool's substitutes twice between 2000 and 2002, moved from Anfield to Tranmere before enjoying spells at Macclesfield Town and Milton Keynes Dons.
Shortly after being released by the Dons he joined Brighton on trial and impressed enough during the pre-season period to be offered a two-year contract by the south-coast club.
This year he has made 15 appearances in league and cup competitions as Brighton sent Newcastle crashing out of the FA Cup and the full-back spoke of his delight at being presented with a fifth round trip to Anfield.
"When the draw was made I got loads of texts saying, 'You must be made up with the draw?'" said Navarro.
"At first I didn't have a clue who we'd got but because of the amount of texts I realised it was Liverpool and it was just a great feeling.
"Anfield is a special place. I've always loved Liverpool and always will do. That's where I grew up and where I started my career so to go back there and play - if I'm named in the team - will all be a bit of a dream come true.
"I've played at Anfield many times but never in a competitive game so I can't wait for it."