In Liverpoolfc.tv’s latest ’Big Interview’ we catch up with promising youngster Lee Peltier, a local lad from Aigburth who’s determined to build on a pre-season spent with the first team in Switzerland.
A graduate of the club’s Academy, Peltier has worked his way through the ranks and, after being handed squad number 37, now stands on the fringe of a senior breakthrough.
His hard work and fine form for the reserves was rewarded in the summer when called-up by Rafael Benitez to figure in four of Liverpool’s five friendly fixtures.
That was followed by a place on the substitutes bench for the Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa and Peltier is now itching to make his competitive debut for the Reds.
Highly-rated by the Melwood coaching staff, this is an exciting time for the 19-year old Liverpudlian and with the second string set to kick-off their campaign on Tuesday we endeavour to find out a bit more about him...
Lee, most Liverpool fans will have been unfamiliar with your name until you appeared on the team-sheet during pre-season. Can you just tell us a bit about what type of player you are?
I would say I’m a hard working defensive type of player who likes to tackle and pass the ball. I get about the pitch quite well and keep it simple.
I believe your style has been compared to a young Paul Ince...
(laughs) I’ve read that somewhere myself. I don’t know about that to be honest but I suppose in a way my style is quite similar to his.
You’ve played in midfield and defence for the Liverpool youth and reserve teams but what would say is your preferred position?
I’m not sure myself! I really don’t mind where I play to be honest. When I was at the Academy I played a year at centre back and a year at right back. I was then out for a year through injury and I came back and played in midfield. I played right back for the first team in pre-season so I don’t really mind where I play as long as I’m playing.
What was it like for you to go on the pre-season tour with the first team?
It was unbelievable really and like a dream come true for me. Coming from Liverpool and being a Liverpool fan, it doesn’t get any better. Then to play alongside the likes of Gerrard and Carragher was just amazing.
Did the call-up come as a surprise?
Yes, I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I was about three weeks into my holiday and I was in the gym when Frank McParland phoned me to say ’cancel whatever you are doing because you are starting back early training with the first team’. I was made up.
It must have come as a massive boost to your confidence?
It did. To know the manager and his coaches have faith in me means everything.
Peltier on pre-season
Just to be part of the squad, to see how they go about things and to be involved in the training sessions with them was priceless in terms of my football education. It is a lot faster and more physical than I imagined and it made me realise even more just how good the players are.
Was it a good learning experience for you being away with the first team?
Definitely. Just to be part of the squad, to see how they go about things and to be involved in the training sessions with them was priceless in terms of my football education. It is a lot faster and more physical than I imagined and it made me realise even more just how good the players are. It’s not as easy as people think and the training is so hard.
A lot has been said about the training this summer and how hard has it been?
Due to injury, this has been my first pre-season with the first team but already I am reaping the benefits. I feel a lot fitter, a lot stronger and much more confident in my ability as a player.
What has been the reaction from the senior players towards the younger lads in the squad?
They have helped us along and given us plenty of advice. When we played against Mainz, Jamie Carragher, in particular, helped me through the game by constantly talking. But everyone’s been great really, the likes of Momo and Bolo have given me a lot of encouragement and also Stevie the captain.
Did you and the other young lads tend to mix with the senior squad members much during pre-season?
To be fair, when we weren’t training or playing matches, we were just in our rooms resting so there wasn’t much opportunity to mix socially. We enjoyed one night out as a squad, which was good, but that was it really.
How did you think you performed in pre-season?
I think I was just steady and at this stage of my career I’m happy with that because I’d much rather work my way into it. I’ll admit I was a little bit nervous when I made my debut for the first team against Wrexham but things got better after that.
What was going through your mind when named among the substitutes for the recent Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa?
It was unbelievable. That was the best ever for me so far, it was like a dream. As a Liverpool supporter it was another dream come true and all through the game thoughts were running through my mind about what it would be like if I actually got on.
When did you get told you would be involved?
It was strange really because the reserves had a game on the same day against Wrexham. I was getting ready for that and then I got the call. It just happened so quickly really. I didn’t have time to think.
You’ve been at the club since you were 11, do you remember how you came to join the Academy?
I was playing for Tranmere Rovers but they didn’t have the facilities I needed to progress. I decided to leave and I went round looking at a few clubs and decided to sign for Liverpool.
So what are your memories of being at the Academy, was it a good place to learn?
Definitely, there’s no better place. The facilities and coaching there are second to none. It was a great experience to be there. I didn’t really start to grow until I was 15 and I used to worry a lot about my height. I was only small when I made my debut for the under-17s as a 15-year-old.
Peltier on playing for the Reds
I wake up every morning and think ’I’m going to work for Liverpool Football Club’, and that is just unbelievable. I appreciate how lucky I am and I’m determined to make the most of this chance.
You mentioned you are a Liverpool fan, who were your Anfield heroes when you were younger?
From when I first kicked a ball it has always been my ambition to be a professional footballer and when I was growing up I used to look up to a lot of the Liverpool first team players. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go the match that often but the players I admired were the likes of Steve McManaman and Paul Ince.
To say you play for Liverpool when only 11 must be something special. That must have made you feel like a mini-celebrity in your local neighbourhood...
(laughs) No, no. I think when you are 11 it is more about enjoyment and the coaches at the Academy ensure your feet are kept firmly on the ground. The older you get the more serious it starts to get. Once you get your scholarship there is only one more step before you can get your professional contract so then you just become focussed on that.
Who have been the biggest influences on your career so far?
My Mum because she took me everywhere when I was a kid and always supported me, and my Dad. Dave Shannon from the Academy is the best coach I’ve ever worked with and I still keep in touch with him. He texts me after a game to ask me how I’ve done. Since coming to Melwood, I’d say Paco Herrera. He was a great person and great coach, I learnt a lot from him and was sorry to see him go in the summer.
What was it like making the step up from the Academy to Melwood?
At first it was difficult because I had been out injured for a year and hadn’t played any football. I think it was just a case of overdoing it on the weights. At first I was devastated but then I worked hard to get back. Then I moved to Melwood and I didn’t have much time to get myself ready for it and I did about three weeks training at the Academy before I moved. It just happened so quickly. At Melwood the tempo is much faster and to be fair the first month or so I was struggling. Then I found my fitness and was alright.
What has the boss been like with you and does he speak to you much?
He does yes. He’s always speaking to me and shouting encouragement during games. When we were away in Switzerland he even made a video clip of the things I have to improve on which was good for me. It gave me a boost to know he was taking such an interest in my progress.
As a local lad, playing for the team you support, it must be very exciting for you to be part of this club...
I wake up every morning and think ’I’m going to work for Liverpool Football Club’, and that is just unbelievable. I appreciate how lucky I am and I’m determined to make the most of this chance.
Do you sense you are being recognised a bit more now in the street after being involved with the first team?
A little bit yes. In the morning when I walk to the car there’s people saying, ’look there’s Lee Peltier!’ It was a bit strange at first but it doesn’t happen too often so I’m comfortable with it.
What are your aspirations for the remainder of the season?
Just to keep working hard and hopefully I’ll get a few more chances with the first team.
And finally, what would you say are your long term ambitions in the game?
To be a regular in the team that’s all I could ask for.
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