Related Quotes
"Luis has learned English pretty quickly and is a bit of a joker himself now. He's also taken to card games at the back of the coach every week. I'm not sure what's going on with his hair though, there's usually half a tub of gel on his head every day."
Neil Mellor on Luis Garcia in February 2005
"I admit at first I was scared to come to England. I was afraid of learning a new language, getting to know new players of so many nationalities. Benitez asked me if I was willing to change my surroundings, that he had thought of a special role in the side for me, that the adventure was going to interesting, attractive and that he needed competitive people like me. He knows me very well from our time together at Tenerife and I just had to come.
In an early game away at Man United, Rio Ferdinand kicked me with all of his power. I flew one metre high and when I landed he muttered: 'Welcome to the Premiership'. In midfield it is like a wrestling match. Football is very different here to Spain."
Garcia in March 2005
"When Rafa took over at Valencia people were saying they weren't really a good team. They were always a compact side under Hector Cuper, drawing 0-0 and 1-1 all the time. But after Christmas in that first season they started winning games 1-0 and 2-1, winning all the time, and went on to win the title when nobody expected them to. I think we are getting closer to that and are more consistent.
I think the manager has had to change some of his methods to suit the game here. He has maintained the main things that he finds important to the team, such as the workrate in training and out on the pitch, but I think he is more adaptable now depending on the opposition. His tactics have developed to the point where he will change his formation much more. He didn't used to do it as much but now he might go from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 or 5-2-3. We change sometimes but more often than not it depends on the other team. He learns with experience all the time."
Luis Garcia on Liverpool’s progress in the 2005-2006 season
"We found out we had drawn them in the knockout round after training, and you should have seen the faces of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher – it was an immense 'Bring them on' look'.
Luis Garcia on the Scousers' reaction after Liverpool drew Barcelona in the 2006-2007 Champions League
"After the game, Sheila, who was sitting right in line in the main stand, said to me that the ball had crossed the line. She was a very honest person so that was good enough for me. It was a goal."
Rafa Benítez on Luis Garcia's goal vs Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final. Sheila Walsh his private secretary, left no doubt in his mind on the validity of the goal!