I lived three unforgettable years with Liverpool. I will always be grateful for everything to the club and, especially, the fans. From day one, they behaved impeccably and were amazing.
I remember my first Champions League final in 1996: Juventus-Ajax. That's the clearest memory from my childhood.
I like talking about football.
In my position, I've always admired Claude Makelele. I grew up watching him play. I was able to play against him in the final stages of his career. I have always liked his way of playing football, and given my position and style, he's been a mirror to compare myself against.
Before I came to Barcelona, I only thought about one facet of the game: destroying. My qualities were completely defensive, and I wouldn't take responsibility for organising my team's game, our attacks.
I have always tried to live football from a survivalist perspective.
Playing in England was a fantastic experience. In Liverpool, I felt at home and really, thoroughly enjoyed it.
The kudos and hierarchy of playing in the Premier League for a footballer is huge.
This is football: one day you win, one day you lose, and there's a very fine line between them.
Even just a little bit of praise can weaken you.
Great players are very good technically, but they also have a huge amount of character because, without it, you will never get to see that great technique because it vanishes under pressure.
I have had so many team-mates who have been technically better than me.
Football is not as easy as it looks from the television gantry.
Honestly, after five, six months, I thought it was unlikely I'd be here long: my characteristics seemed to go against everything Barcelona stood for.
Playing at coach is very easy; actually doing it is another thing. Put yourself in the coach's position, and you'll see how complex everything is.
One day I won't play for Barcelona. I'll go and play somewhere else, and I'm sure I'll do so as a central midfielder. That's what I'll try to do because it's the position I like.
Liverpool is a club where you need to be there to enjoy it. It's not worth owning Liverpool if you are going to always be 20,000 miles away.
I've always been a very passionate football supporter, and I used to watch the Champions League.
Being the Barca coach is different to being the coach at another club because you have to adapt to the philosophy of the club. At other clubs, maybe you have the freedom to adapt the team to your way of thinking. Here, that's not the case.
My feeling for Liverpool does not mean I'm tied to them.
