Doni reveals Riise talks
Alexander Doni admits he had no hesitation in signing for Liverpool after a strong recommendation from former Kop favourite John Arne Riise.
The Brazilian international played alongside the Norwegian at AS Roma last season and tales of playing in front of the Kop on magical nights at Anfield were never far away from their conversations.
"I spoke a lot about Liverpool with John and he told me what a special club it was," said Doni.
"He spoke about the supporters, the way Liverpool play and this is a very big challenge for me.
"I couldn't turn down the opportunity to come to the Premier League, especially signing for Liverpool which is a huge club in Europe."
Liverpool's No.32 is hoping to get his first taste of the Anfield experience when Kenny Dalglish's side welcome Valencia in the final pre-season game on Saturday.
He added: "I can't wait because I've heard some great things about how fantastic Liverpool supporters are, especially with the way they get behind the team at Anfield.
"I am looking forward to experiencing that so hopefully I will get a chance to play a part on Saturday."
Click on the play button below to watch our new boys meet the press at Melwood
With one of Europe's best stoppers guarding Liverpool's goal in Pepe Reina, Doni is certainly under no illusions as to the size of his task at Liverpool in vying for a starting berth.
"Pepe is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe at present and it is an absolute pleasure to work alongside him at this club," he added.
"I will try to help the team as much as I can. Every time I am called upon I know I have to be ready.
"Everybody knows Liverpool already has a fantastic goalkeeper, so any time I am called upon my aim is to do my best.
"I am 31-years-old now so I consider myself to be an experienced goalkeeper. I know I will not be the first choice goalkeeper here to start with but that is not a problem as I knew that before I signed.
"This is a special club to play for and I am enjoying working with Pepe in training. He has been helping me a lot and has already taught me one or two different things.
"I speak some Spanish so I can understand him quite well."
Also helping our new stopper settle in at Anfield is fellow Brazilians Lucas and Fabio Aurelio.
He said: "It's good for me that Liverpool has a few Brazilian players in the team.
"They will help me settle in. I already knew Lucas before I came here and I met Fabio Aurelio last week."
One game Doni can't wait to experience is a Merseyside derby having experienced the AS Roma v Lazio Derby della Capitale.
The first meeting of 2011-12 with our rivals across Stanley Park is at Goodison Park on October 1, and it's a date firmly pencilled into Doni's diary.
He added: "The derby in Rome is strongly felt by the supporters because the city just stops for the day and the derby is everyone's main focus.
"From what I've seen on television and from what I've been told the Merseyside derby is very similar, on the pitch at least, so I can't wait for my first experience of this in England."