Sergi Canos: "Liverpool offered me things that Barcelona didn't"

If Sergi Canos (Nules, Castellon, February 2, 1997) had stayed at Barcelona, it's likely he would be a star in the Juvenil A side now. 

However, when he was in the Cadete sides he decided to leave the club who considered him an important part of their future. 

A rapid right-winger, who can also play through the middle, he's a goal scorer, a youth international with Spain and now a Liverpool player.

And things aren't going badly...

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How is it going at Liverpool? 

It's going really well. Now, better than ever. To be honest, it was difficult at first, but now I feel 100 percent adapted. Now I feel like myself and most importantly I am happy. 

Are you happy with the experience you are gaining in England?

Very happy. I've had good time, but also times which weren't so good, but thanks to God and my family, everything has been overcome and I am happy with how things are going. 

What's a normal day for Sergi Canos at Liverpool?

I get up at 8.20am and arrive at Liverpool's academy for 9am, where I eat breakfast. At 10.30am we train -- on the colder days we train a little bit later. At 12pm we eat. Some days we will go to the gym after that. I get home between 3pm and 4pm and I have to study. I am doing a science degree online. We eat dinner in my house around 8pm.

Tell us about your sporting development since leaving Barcelona...

When I came I played for the U18 team, which is like the Juvenil A, although in reality it's all different. This year I did preseason with the U21s, which is the reserve team. Then I dropped back to the U18s and in December I went back up to the U21s. I have been there ever since.

Have you trained with the first team?

Yes, we train with them often. I think that is one of the best things about being here. We are really close to the first team and train with them a lot. 

Do any games stand out since joining Liverpool?

Yes, for sure... a lot. One was this year: I scored a hat-trick against Derby County in a game we drew 5-5. But the one that I have in my head the most is a game from last season. We were playing Reading in the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup. We were losing 2-0, I had just returned from injury and was on the bench. I came on and we got it back to 2-2. In extra-time we went 4-2 up, but they came back in the second half of extra time and it went to penalties. They won and we were eliminated. In football here, you never know what will happen... 

What are the differences between Barça and Liverpool in terms of youth development? 

Everything is different. Not better or worse, just different. I think that's why it was so hard to adapt.

Many players dream of playing for Barça, but you decided to leave. Why? 

I thought that it was the best decision. Liverpool offered me things at a sporting level that Barça didn't. I was also influenced by the fact my family could come with me and my younger sister could study and learn English here. It was a dream to play for Barça, so it was difficult to leave my life there, but now I am happy with the decision I took and happy to be here in Liverpool. 

Are you in contact with any former Barça teammates? 

Yes. I keep in contact with them, although whether you want to or not you do lose some contact. But I try to keep in touch because they were like brothers to me.    

What was your best match for Barça?

That's difficult because I have been in England a while now. I would say a game against Badalona when I was playing for Cadete A. We were losing 1-0 and we won 6-1 in the end with me scoring five goals. It's a great memory. 

What do you think is more likely: Playing at Anfield or Camp Nou?

Obviously Anfield. That is what I decided and it is why I am working hard every day. I am searching for my dream. Everytime I go to Anfield, every time, my hairs stand up on the back of my neck and I get goosebumps seeing how the fans support Liverpool. If I feel that from the stands, imagine how it feels for the players when they play. It's a unique feeling to experience a game at Anfield. 

A few weeks ago you played against Victor Valdes. How was that? Did you speak to him?

I felt a lot of respect. He's a player that has won everything and is a world champion. The best. I didn't speak with him much, just the usual. I wished him luck and asked him how the injury was. He's a crack on and off the pitch. It was a pleasure.