'Ball boy' Aspas can't wait to start

The Spaniard - then aged 10 - helped from sidelines as Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by his beloved Celta Vigo in a UEFA Cup tie at the Estadio Balaidos.

Now 26, Aspas completed a summer move from Celta to Anfield and could be involved as the Reds open their campaign against Stoke on Saturday.

"I was a ball boy when Liverpool came to play Celta Vigo when I was a kid," he recalled.

"I was a ball boy for 10 years. I remember that game well as Michael Owen scored but Celta won the game and went through.

"Owen was someone that I liked very much. I really enjoyed watching him."

Aspas left the field in tears on the final day of last season after helping set up the goal which kept Celta in La Liga.

"It was hard to say goodbye," he said.

"We had a meal with the team straight after the game and then a couple of days later, when everything had calmed down, we had a lunch to say a final goodbye to the people who were leaving.

"We ended the season on a positive note. I had been there from the age of eight. My house is only 15km from the training ground. It was very difficult to leave the city but when you get the call from a massive club like Liverpool the decision is easy."

A move to Merseyside transpired - but if former Celta teammate Michu had his way, Aspas's career would have taken a different path.

"Michu is a friend of mine and he spoke to me as Swansea were in the frame," he said.

"But as soon as Liverpool came along, it was easy. You look at all the factors and everything points to this club.

"This was the best option for me for various reasons - the philosophy of the club and the success they have enjoyed in Europe."

Aspas has adapted quickly to his new surroundings - netting four goals in Liverpool's friendlies.

"It has been great so far, very easy to settle in," he said.

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"There haven't been any negative points. The lads have welcomed me into the dressing room. It's all very positive.

"It's been made easy because guys like Lucas and Jose Enrique speak Spanish. Everyone has gone out of their way to help.

"Let's face it, Celta are quite a small team in Spain but the pressure when you are fighting against relegation does prepare you for this.

"It is a different kind of pressure when you are at the top of the league, a joyful pressure. I'm just trying to improve and to learn.

"What the manager is looking for and the style he wants is something that we have grown up with in Spain.

"The training here is no different to what I have been doing in Spain. It is similar drills.

"In terms of what I can bring, I can find space, I can get myself away from my markers. I have got technique, skill and speed. I also like to shoot. I have got a decent ability to hit the ball.

"As for the No.9 shirt, that is not crucial. You can't deny that there have been some big forwards who have worn this shirt with distinction. But it won't weigh that heavily on me."

Aspas's former Celta boss Paco Herrera, the ex-Liverpool assistant, has described him as 'half Messi, half monster'.

In La Liga last season the forward created more chances from open play than Lionel Messi - while a fierce competitive streak ensured he was often centre of attention.

He added: "I'm not sure where Paco was going with that quote!

"Paco was very important for me at Celta and very good for my progress as a player."