Darren Potter can be forgiven for breathing a huge sigh of relief when the transfer window closed on Wednesday with Liverpool failing to add a right-sided midfielder to their ranks.
While there may have been an overwhelming sense of frustration at Anfield following the collapse of the deal to sign Benfica star Simao Sabrosa, 21-year old Potter is now relishing the opportunity of competing with Luis Garcia for a starting position on the right of the Reds midfield.
"You could say I've got mixed feelings with regards our not getting a new right midfielder," he says. "It would have been good for the club and the fans. I think everyone wanted us to make a big signing, so everyone is disappointed it didn't happen.
"But from a personal point of view, I'm not too down about it. When you're in my position, a young player hoping to get some chances in the first team, it's a lot easier if there isn't a lot of competition.
"If we'd signed a big name, I'm sure he'd have gone straight into the side and made it more difficult for me to get a game.
"As it stands Luis Garcia and me are the only right midfielders in the squad. The boss will have ideas about playing others there, but I suppose I've got a 50-50 chance of playing quite a lot until January. That's not something I'm going to complain about."
He adds: "It's a position I'm getting more and more used to. I've been brought up playing in the middle, but I know there's an opportunity there for me if I can keep improving as a right midfielder.
"It's all about adapting to a new position for me. There are still things I need to adjust to, but the manager has shown he has belief in me and that's giving me a lot of confidence.
"He's given me a few games already this season and he's made it clear that he sees me as part of his plans. I can't ask for more than that at the moment."
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