Javi Manquillo now understands why the skipper is so revered on Merseyside…
Javi Manquillo has lauded his Liverpool captain and teammate Steven Gerrard, the official website reports.
Manquillo, a young Spaniard, joined in the summer on a two year loan deal from Atletico Madrid, but due to injuries to Jon Flanagan and Glen Johnson, he’s had more game time so far than was probably expected.
The right-back reckons that his (relatively) smooth transition into English football has much to do with the advice and presence of Gerrard, and the Spanish influences at the club.
“Gerrard’s a legend here, and as each day passes by, you realise why,” Manquillo told Spanish newspaper Diario AS. “He helps a lot and is a great person. People have enormous respect for him.
“I’m adapting. It’s one of the hardest things to do, but I have help. Jose Enrique and Suso are some of my guides here. The Spanish players get together often and we spend our afternoons together.
“Brendan Rodgers speaks Spanish and that has helped me and Alberto Moreno to understand what he wants us to do.”
Manquillo is strong in the tackle, and enjoys a physical battle, but his positioning and ability to retain possession is sometimes relatively poor.
At 20-years-old though, he has time to improve, and his talent and potential is undoubted.