GARCIA: I WANT TO KEEP TREATING THE FANS

Paul Eaton 01 November 2005 Luis Garcia has vowed to build on his man of the match display against West Ham at the weekend and help fire Liverpool into the knockout stages of the Champions League tonight. If the Reds beat Anderlecht and Chelsea win in Spain against Real Betis then Rafael Benitez's men will have buttured themselves a place in the last sixteen with two group games to spare.

Garcia is again set to figure tonight as he looks to maintain his excellent European form for the Reds - but he's also delighted with the reaction his display against West Ham on Saturday generated as he bids to prove he can cope with the more physical demands of the Premiership to complement his shining performances in Europe.

The Spaniard is aware his playing style in England can cause frustration among fans at times, but he insists he won't look to curb his natural talent for trying the unexpected in a bid to unlock opposing defences.

"I think it is the same everywhere when you try to do something like a trick, something different, I understand that the supporters do not like it when it doesn't work, but that is my kind of game," says Garcia. "Maybe one of these tricks can finish in a goal. That is how they have to think.

"I don't do these things to show off. If you try and do an easy pbutt it can be easy for the defender.

"It is because it is best for the team. The manager wants me to keep doing that - in different positions.

"I am not scared of having the ball, I always want the ball. But I have to learn where to do my tricks. For me, creativity is what I bring to the team. Every player has to give something to the team and that is mine.

"Being on the ball a lot in the Premiership is difficult because people are quick to tackle. If you go with the ball and dribbling all the time, people tackle you and push you. In Spain you would get more free-kicks. Here the referees let it go and you have to play quicker."

It comes as no surprise that Garcia loves attempting tricks on the field to entertain the supporters. After all, he played alongside the great Ronaldinho with Barcelona before moving to Merseyside.

"He is a great player," says Garcia. "I learned some things with him. When I was playing with him he would talk to me and say I am going to do this and the ball is going to go to you. Some of those things I try to bring to Liverpool. I like to learn about different players. I have copied some of his tricks!

"Players can be bracketed one to 10. If you know what to do all the time and you have good quality and a good worker then you are a 10. Ronaldinho for me is 9.99 because he has qualities, quick and brings a lot to the team.

"What am I? At the moment I need to learn when to do it, I need to improve my heading I need to improve a lot of things but I am trying, I am trying. A Seven? Maybe, I don't know."

He added: "I am not a strong type of player, my game is different. We try to improve certain things, try to change my play so I adapt to the Premiership. I think it is going well and I am improving. I am playing with more confidence. I am more relaxed, more at ease.

"The last game (West Ham) I did well because the things I did were all in the right positions. It is difficult and that is why the manager is still telling me. I don't forget, but I am confident in my ability and think this will work and then it doesn't."

Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY