"He's a player with great potential, very comfortable on the
ball. I'm also quite interested in Dani Pacheco as well. He's
impressed in training and looks like a very interesting
prospect.
"His first-team chances have been limited because he wasn't in
Switzerland in pre-season [because he was at the European Under-19
Championships with Spain], where he would have played for sure.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing him play and it's another
great chance for Ryan Babel and David Ngog to stake their claim for
a place in the team."
Hodgson was also looking forward to seeing reserve goalkeeper
Brad Jones in action for the first time since his switch from
Middlesbrough.
"Brad Jones is an international goalkeeper for Australia and
he's played many games for Middlesbrough so I have no doubts about
him and his competence," he added.
"Pepe is a fantastic character who wants to play every game,
whether it's a seven-a-side in training or any game Liverpool
plays, but it's important that Brad gets his chance.
"Goalkeepers have got to be a very special breed. You need a
character who is good enough for the Premier League but who also
understands that there's another goalkeeper at the club who's
probably better than him.
"You look for an exceptional person and then all you can do is
try to keep them on board as much as you can.
"That is done by treating them with the proper respect in
training, and that's very important, and by giving them a chance to
play when the opportunity presents itself."
