Roque in wonderland

Last updated : 31 May 2005 By Adam Bryant

The European champions offered the 16-year-old Lleida star a trial and were impressed enough to offer him a contract, beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to his signature.

"When my representative told me I thought it was a joke," admitted Roque.

"When they tell you scouts from Barca or Madrid have come it's more normal and within reason, but when it's Liverpool, it's hard to imagine.

"It's a great opportunity for me. Everyone who likes football dreams about something like this and I can't let the chance pass.

"When I told them (my team-mates) they did not believe me, they thought I was having a joke and I had to tell them four or five times before they took me seriously.

"The experience (at Anfield) was good because the first-team players there are close to reserves and there is constant contact between them," he continued.

"What's more they use them because there are many competitions to play.

"Living in Liverpool will not be like living in Lleida, but I am ready for it."