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France Under-21 star Anthony Le Tallec said that starting for Liverpool against Juventus in the Champions’ League is “the best memory” of his career.
Le Tallec has had a difficult season after falling out of favour at Saint-Etienne, where he was on loan. But an injury crisis at Anfield meant that Coach Rafael Benitez started the young Frenchman in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg.
“I wasn’t sure before the game [that I would play],” said the 20-year-old. “It was 50-50 between myself and Nunez.”
Le Tallec revealed that Benitez reminded him that he was recently playing in the CFA for the Saint-Etienne reserves in an attempt to motivate him prior to the kick-off.
“Before the match Benitez came to me and said: ‘Where were you three months ago? Don’t forget. Today you are going to start. Things change quickly in football. This could be the last time you play in a Champions’ League quarter-final, so make the most of it’.
“His instructions were simple," Le Tallec explained. "He told me to play behind Milan Baros and control Emerson."
The former Le Havre playmaker succeeded in keeping Juventus' Brazilian linchpin Emerson quiet, and also laid on a spectular second goal for Luis Garcia as the Reds ran out 2-1 winners.
“It’s true, [Emerson] didn’t seem to be at his best, but he’s a great player," Le Tallec said. "I got an early tackle in on Manuele Blasi and that helped me get in the game.
“For me, my first contribution is very important. It reassured me and I think I had a good match.”
Le Tallec has since received a host of phone calls from friends and former teammates at Saint-Etienne, congratulating him on his performance.
“I’ve never played a game at this level before - I am so happy,” Le Tallec continued.
“It’s the best memory of my career so far. I scored a goal in the UEFA Cup last season against Ljubljana, but this is a different thing altogether.
“It surprised me that I was able to keep going like that for 75 minutes. I felt dead at the end.”
Le Tallec is in contention to start again on Saturday, as Liverpool take on Manchester City without the suspended Baros.
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