Paul Anderson has been tipped to be one of Liverpool's stars of the future after some outstanding displays in the reserves following on from his part in the club's FA Youth Cup final win over Manchester City two years ago. But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has been sending the 20-year-old winger out on loan so that he can gain experience outside of the Premier League before hopefully making the jump into first team action. Anderson played for Swansea's League One title-winning side last season but now he has now opted to join Nottingham Forest on loan. Forest were also promoted with Swansea but Midlander Anderson preferred a move to the City Ground rather than a return to South Wales. However, Anderson maintains he joined Forest for football reasons alone and givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to the young prospect who is determined to shine for Colin Calderwood's men this season.
Q: YOU'VE MADE ANOTHER LOAN MOVE, IF IT'S AS GOOD AS YOUR SEASON WITH SWANSEA THEN FOREST FANS WILL BE PLEASED WON'T THEY?
A: I hope so, last year was a great success with Swansea. But moving on from there I now want to do well for Forest. However, it might be a good idea to play a game for them first! I've had a few injury problems in pre-season. I did my thigh last season and because of the intensity of pre-season, I tweaked it again. Hopefully, I'll hit the start of the season, but if not I hope I can be back in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to play.
Q: ARE YOU IN FULL TRAINING YET AND IS THERE TIMESCALE FOR WHEN YOU CAN PLAY?
A: No, I'm in the gym, running on the treadmill, cross-trainer, bike, that sort of thing. I’m doing lots of power work to try and strengthen my quad. If I don't make the first game of the season I would love to be involved in the second one when Forest go to Swansea. If I don't play in that one, then I will definitely be fit for the game after, but that will look like I'm 'bottling' the Swansea game! They'll think I don't want to go down there, but in fact it's the one game I am looking forward to. I really want to be involved in that.
Q: DID SWANSEA WANT YOU TO GO BACK THERE THIS SEASON?
A: Yes, they wanted me again and there were also a few other clubs interested. But in the end, I felt Forest was the right place to come. If Swansea could have got me on a permanent transfer, then they would have. But Liverpool wouldn't let me go permanently. In the end, it was a 50-50 decision as to whether I went to Swansea or Forest, but I chose Forest and I think I've chosen right.
Q: FOREST ARE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN, HOW DO YOU VIEW THEM AS A CLUB?
A: They're a great club and all the boys I've seen here so far have been brilliant. We played Everton in a friendly last week and I thought the performance was superb; we looked like the better side. We're looking sharp and I think we've got a great chance. You look at the players we're signed like Andy Cole and Rob Earnshaw and it's obvious Forest have ambition.
Q: YOU COME FROM JUST DOWN THE ROAD IN MELTON MOWBRAY, DID A RETURN TO THE MIDLANDS PLAY A PART IN YOUR DECISION TO COME TO FOREST.
A: No, that had nothing to do with it. To be honest, I would rather be further away, it sounds weird but if I'm a long way from home, then there are no distractions. Now, I have a lot of friends around, they'll naturally be asking if I'll be going out. But I will be saying no when I want to. I have friends who are Forest fans but Melton is mainly Leicester City! So I'm getting stick from the Leicester fans and good comments from Forest supporters.
Q: IS IT A CASE OF HAVING TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP SOCIAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE AS SEPARATE AS POSSIBLE?
A: I would never let my personal life get in the way of my football career, I've always believed in that. You should do things right for your career and at the end of it you can do what you want to do. I want to play as high as I can at the best team that I can and I think I'll go further. I want to improve at Forest and maybe go back to Liverpool and play, but if not then I would like to maybe get a permanent move to a club of this stature.
