Cheyrou - I can only do better

Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou has admitted that his Anfield learning curve has taken longer than expected, but is working hard to improve on an anti-climatic first season at Anfield.

Cheyrou came in for heavy criticism from sections of the Anfield crowd last term, but, speaking from the Reds' tour of Thailand, he echoed the sentiments of his manager who has always maintained that Bruno's debut season at Liverpool would be challenging.

"My first year at Liverpool was an adaptation year," said the French international.

"As the manager said, I needed time to settle down into the club and into the country. You always expect to do more than I did last year but now I can only do better. I think at the beginning the boss thought I should sit back and analyze games, watching how different it is in England and even the decisions that the referees made.

"That's what I did, but I know I didn't settle quickly."

"I know I wasn't at my best. When you are playing well, scoring goals and getting selected in the team regularly your confidence improves. Sadly for me, that never happened at all last season."

Making sure that his family were settled and happy in the area also consumed much of the 25-year olds concentration last term, but a chat with fellow Frenchman and brother-in-law Emmanuel Petit helped Bruno overcome those challenging early days.

"It takes time because I wanted to settle in the area, find a house and make sure everything was right for my family," said Cheyrou. "I wanted to settle here as quickly as possibly but it is not always that easy.

"I spoke to Emmanuel and he told me the important thing was to be strong, physically and mentally. When you sign for a club like Liverpool it is because you have ability and skill."

Cheyrou is ready to put the season of disappointment behind him and has been working extra hard in pre-season to improve his physical strength, which was at the heart of much of the criticism levelled at him last season."The manager kept telling me last year that last year was my learning year I have to improve my game and adapt now.

"During pre-season I have done a lot of work to make to make sure I contribute a lot more this time. I have been working on my strength and I know I have to work a lot harder," said a determined Cheyrou, who played the first half of yesterday's game against the Thai National side.