Moreno: My message to our loyal support
Alberto Moreno insists he's felt the appreciation from the stands for his Liverpool performances so far – and the full-back is keen to repay the faith supporters have shown in him since his switch from Sevilla.
From the early minutes of his debut against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Moreno has demonstrated a doggedness which has resonated with Kopites watching from close quarters.
They were dancing in the aisles at White Hart Lane when he ambushed Tottenham Hotspur's Andros Townsend, hurtled forward and sent a stunning strike into the far corner of the net for his first Liverpool goal on August 31.
However, since demolishing Spurs, Moreno has been part of a victorious Reds side in the Barclays Premier League on just two further occasions - against West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers in October.
The 22-year-old has started all but one of the Reds' league fixtures since his debut against City, enduring five defeats and two draws in total - and he's determined to ensure an upturn in form, primarily to repay the dedication shown by the club's supporters.
"For me, these supporters are one of the few sets of fans - in fact the best - at really supporting and getting behind their team that I have seen at a football ground," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It's amazing and my hairs really stand on end every time I hear them cheering us on. I especially love the fact that in spite of these defeats we've had of late, they never stop or tire of supporting the team and are always there for us.
"I don't think they'll ever let us down. That's why we really have to turn things around, for that set of supporters that we have, always driving us on, we have to do it for them."
He added: "Every time you do something good, or even when you make a mistake, they are always behind you clapping and encouraging you.
"As you leave the ground they always call out to you to sign an autograph for them. It's something that players enjoy, and when I'm on the field I can tell how much they seem to like me, and I'm very grateful for that."
Moreno has now been on Merseyside for three months - and the man from Seville says he's slowly but surely adapting to his new surroundings, with the language barrier having posed the most pressing of challenges so far.
However, like so many other Spanish imports before him, there's been a handful of friendly compatriots at Melwood to ease the bedding-in process - and Moreno insists he's relishing life in Liverpool.
"To be totally honest, I am extremely happy here," he explained. "I'm overjoyed with how things are going.
"It has really flown by. I think that's important for a player - the months passing by quickly - as it means that things are going well, you are playing regularly and performing quite well. I really hope that I can stay here for a long time to come.
"I think the language has been the thing I've struggled with the most. After that, my mum and dad are over here with me and so the days take care of themselves.
"Then I'm lucky enough to have my fellow Spaniards Jose Enrique, Suso and Javier Manquillo in the dressing room. When we leave Melwood we always arrange to meet up to have some lunch or a few games of FIFA, so our days are filled with stuff to do.
"Everything is great here at Melwood, the facilities, my teammates, the manager; everything. I really couldn't be happier here."
