Konchesky aiming to take his chance

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has admitted he is determined to take his chance and ‘play at the highest level’ with the Reds and says he cannot wait to turn out for his new club (Liverpool 6/4 – top four finish).

Konchesky followed boss Roy Hodgson from Fulham to Anfield this summer and the 29-year-old is expected to be the first-choice left back for Liverpool for the rest of the season.

The former England international admitted he jumped at the chance to make the switch to Merseyside and, while teaming up again with Hodgson was a factor in his decision to move, the lure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the country was just too good an opportunity to turn down.

“I’m 29 and this is my last chance to play at the highest level,” Konchesky said. “That is what Liverpool are and I am really looking forward to it. “It (Hodgson) was a big factor but Liverpool being a big club was a massive factor.

“I’m looking forward to getting a new lease of life and playing at a very high standard. I can’t wait to pull on a Liverpool shirt in the Premier League - it is a massive club and it is a big step for me.”

Konchesky got his first taste of playing for Liverpool at Anfield when he turned out in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial on Saturday and he says he is ready to take his chance for his new club.

“I just want to give it my all and go from there,” he added. “I’ve had three or four days’ training and although there have not been a lot of players there it has been a good week and I am hopefully going to enjoy it soon.

“You look at the history they have got behind them – it is unbelievable – and there are some great players here. If we can bring that back to the side this year in something like the Europa League (11/1 to win outright) then this team can go a long way.”

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Konchesky wants trophy haul

Paul Konchesky says he made the move from Fulham to Liverpool to win some silverware and believes the club has what it takes to win a trophy this season (Liverpool 20/1 Premier League outright).

The left-back completed his move to the club on transfer deadline day, signing a four-year contract having enhanced his reputation while at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old played a big part in helping Fulham finish seventh the season before last and followed that up by helping the Cottagers reach the first European final in their history.

Konchesky’s move to Liverpool appears to have been on the cards since Roy Hodgson left his post as Fulham manager to takeover at Anfield, with the Reds having been without a left-back for the majority of the summer.

Hodgson had been looking at Aston Villa’s Luke Young but decided to stick with Konchesky after working with him at Fulham.

Konchesky becomes Liverpool’s eighth summer signing after they completed the signings of Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole, Brad Jones, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson.

Despite the new arrivals the Reds have got off to a slow start, notching up their first win of the season with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over West Brom (4/5 to be relegated) on Sunday.

While Liverpool are already five points off current league leaders and defending champions Chelsea, Konchesky believes the current squad are capable of challenging for top honours.

“I’m very excited to be here. I can’t wait to get started and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he told the club’s official website.

“I want to win silverware. I believe this club is capable of doing that and hopefully we can start this year.”

Having been a beaten finalist in last season’s Europa League Konchesky is eager to right the wrongs of Fulham’s defeat to Athletico Madrid (16/1 Europa League outright) and win the same competition with Liverpool (11/1) this season.

“I am really excited by that. Liverpool have a great tradition in Europe. We got to the final with Fulham last season but hopefully we can go one step further this year and win it with Liverpool,” he added.

Liverpool will fancy their chances of doing well in the Europa League this season having reached the semi-final stage of the competition in the last campaign.

However, the Reds have been drawn in a tough group after being paired with Napoli, Steaua Bucharest and Utrecht.

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