'We tape his shoes to the wall'

The reserves take on West Ham live on LFC TV Online tonight and ahead of the game Liverpoolfc.tv caught up with Dean Bouzanis to continue our Reserves in Profile feature.

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The Aussie, who arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2007, is one of the most highly rated young custodians in the game.

Here, he talks us through his career so far, explains how he once dreamt of being a striker and why Victor Palsson sometimes finds his shoes taped to the dressing room wall.

Career high?

Having been an Aussie-based player, coming from Sydney to sign for Liverpool is a big achievement. Also, playing in the Youth Cup final was a very good experience for me.

Career low?

In football, you have to go through a lot of ups and downs. For me, the low point was probably going to the Euros (with Greece U19s) and getting injured before the first game. It meant I couldn't play and had to sit out - so that's probably my low point. I suppose you get mixed emotions when something like that happens - obviously you always want the team to do well, but when you know you're going to play and then you get injured, it hurts you inside. But going through something like that can help build your character and if you can overcome the lows, then it's better for you in the long run.

Best save made in a match?

Probably the double save I made in the first half of the FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal at the Emirates last year. There were a lot of people in the stadium watching and it's one that sticks out in my mind.

Stadium you'd love to play in?

The Bernabeu. It's an amazing stadium with its structure and the amount of fans it can hold. It's somewhere I'd love to play and, of course, it would be great to do it with Liverpool.

Which other team's results do you look out for?

I pretty much look out for everyone's results in the Premier League and now and then I'll check to see how Accrington Stanley are doing. I spent some time on loan there last season and made a few friends. When I was growing up in Australia, I used to follow the Premier League as a whole as it was everybody's aim to one day play there. If I had to pick a team I used to follow overall, it would probably be Barcelona.

First football shirt owned?

It was a Brazil home shirt from the 1998 World Cup finals in France with Ronaldo's name on the back. I actually used to play outfield until the age of 15, so I've only been playing in goal for about four or five years now. When I was younger, I wanted to be a striker but I went in goal one day because my team did not have a back-up 'keeper. My dad said afterwards I should continue playing in goal to see how I like it and I developed into a 'keeper from there.

Who do you model your game on?

I look at two 'keepers - Pepe, because he is quality and I want to have the same style as him, and also Iker Casillas. They're both similar goalkeepers having been brought up through the ranks in Spain and are probably the best two in the world. Watching them can definitely help me improve and go forward. I like the way Pepe kicks the ball, with the side volley he does. He launches counter attacks. He is calm on the field and his pitch management is excellent. Pepe is a good role model.

What are your main strengths?

I would say I command the area well and distribution is a big part of my game as I can kick with both my left and right foot.

Areas you can improve?

I've been going through a few things with the coaches, such as my handling and pitch management, where to be when the ball is in certain areas. You've always got to try and pick up things and there's always something you need to work on to make you better, even if it's the smallest thing.

Last album downloaded?

I think it was Drake's album, 'Thank Me Later'. It's quality - my favourite track is 'Find Your Love'. I like all types of music, I've got a few Ministry of Sound albums and sometimes listen to them. It just depends what type of mood I'm in.

Last film watched?

I watched Happy Gilmore the other day. It's such a funny film - Adam Sandler is hilarious, isn't he?

Favourite TV show?

The Simpsons. Homer always makes me laugh. If I'm sitting down watching TV and it's on, it's the first thing I will watch.

Worst dresser?

Victor Palsson - he's got some of the worst clothes around. He's got holes in his trousers, wears these shocking flip-flops...he's by far the worst, I've got to say. A lot of the lads give him stick over it - we tape his shoes up on to the wall and hang his clothes up everywhere. To be fair to him he takes it pretty well and he knows it's coming his way when he wears these things. Fair play to him.

Worst taste in music?

Going through Stephen Darby's iPod and seeing AC/DC and things like that, I would have to say him because it's not my type. I'm sure if the lads ever decided to put his iPod on in the dressing room, he'd get a lot of stick. He's always the quietest one when we're putting music on - he never offers to play his own. Maybe he's hiding something? Chris Mavinga and David Amoo are the ones who always want their music playing - they like a lot of hip-hop and rap.

Best mates in squad?

I've got a few because we're a close team. Stevie Irwin, Stephen Darby and Victor Palsson are the ones I am closest to.

Funniest teammate?

Deale Chamberlain. We have some good laughs together and I think his banter is funny. Some of the things we get up to make me laugh.

Teammate who spends longest in the mirror?

Suso with his mad hairstyle. He's always got his hair done for training, no matter what. He probably gets up at 8.30 in the morning and starts fixing his hair before he comes in - he's always got it done up.

Most skillful teammate?

Probably Suso again. He's very quick with his feet and is always beating players. He's done really well so far and scored - and set-up - a few goals. He is a very big talent.

Best ever player in your position?

Peter Schmeichel because he was an animal in goal and nothing beat him. He was someone I looked at when I was growing up and he commanded his area in the same way I like to - by being loud and strong.

First person you text after a game?

My dad straight away to tell him how I've got on. He's always been there for me, through thick and thin, so he is always the first one I will text. He tries to watch as many of my games as he can on LFC TV. My dad is very truthful with me and if I've made a mistake in a game, he's not scared to tell me. He's not like 'Don't worry about it.' Instead he'll say, 'This is what you should have done better' and that helps me.

Best thing about playing for LFC?

Being at such a massive club with such massive history is probably the best thing. Knowing that you've got all that behind you drives you on to want to play for the first team. Going down to Anfield and seeing all the fans is amazing and really spurs me on to want to play for the club.

Watch the game live from 7pm BST>>