Mavinga - Reds move a risk

23 July 2009 10:26
New Liverpool signing Chris Mavinga admits he has taken a risk in leaving Paris St Germain to move to Anfield. The defender signed a three-year contract with the Premier League side earlier in July after Rafa Benitez's scouts identified the teenager's talents. Mavinga did not play for the PSG first team during his time at the Parc des Princes, but still came to the attention of Benitez. The 18-year-old would have liked to have featured for PSG but he could not turn down Liverpool, despite the competition for places, because they showed greater determination for his signature. Mavinga said in L'Equipe: "I wanted to play on the Parc des Princes pitch. I would have loved to wear that shirt. PSG is the club in my heart. "Liverpool followed me for one year. Benitez even talked to me, while I never had any talks with (PSG recruitment officer) Alain Roche or coach Antoine Kombouare. "I made Liverpool wait while they put me under pressure. Then, (former boss) Paul Le Guen, who asked me to take part in some professional training sessions, left. "I felt Paris only offered me a professional contract to stop me from leaving. "I know I won't play at Anfield this season and the step to Liverpool's first team is higher at Paris. It is a risk, but an opportunity too."

Source: SKY_Sports