Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to time and I am as happy as anyone to be here. It is great to be back at my first love.

I used to hate Ian Rush when I was young, because I was a devout Evertonian in those days, and he seemed to score every time Liverpool played against us. It's strange to think he used to support Everton too when he was a kid. He was brilliant to me at Anfield always giving me good advice.

The money I try and earn is for my family. It's not for me. It's always about my family.

Nothing had changed in my routine, except that when I went down the chippy and got me special fried rice, it would be wrapped in a newspaper that had my picture all over it.

I don't really think kids care much these days - they just tell you to f*** off.

After spending so much money Liverpool were a lot further behind the leaders when Houllier left than before he arrived

I hate talking about football. I just do it, you know?