Robbie Keane has spoken following his £18m move from Tottenham Hotspur to Liverpool.
Keane said: “My heroes when I was growing up were Barnes, Aldridge and Rush.
“Now it’s my ambition to be up there with them. And hopefully, with the top players we have around here, I can achieve that as well.
“But Liverpool didn’t have to sell itself to Robbie Keane. It had already done that when I was a kid.
“It was simply too good an opportunity to let it pass. If I hadn’t come now I would have regretted it for life.”
He continued: “As a young lad I didn’t think coming to such a massive club as this was my best move.
“I thought if I went to Wolves there would be a better chance of first-team football straight away. I’m not saying it wouldn’t have happened if I’d come to Anfield then, but I always held out hope that I’d come back and this is a real dream come true for me.”
He added: “As a striker there is always a lot expected of you and that’s understandable. I think I will bring goals, create goals and always work hard for the team.
“The responsibility isn’t something that bothers me. Being captain of the Republic of Ireland, and also at Spurs when Ledley King was out, wasn’t a problem.
“But I’m not coming as an individual who will win the Premier League, it’s about the team and hopefully I will be part of one that does it.
“I certainly do think we can challenge United and Chelsea. If you look at the squad here, along with the addition of a few more, there’s no reason why we should not be challenging for the title.
“Liverpool is a massive, massive club and people expect this of us. The fans expect it and I have come here to win things.
“I certainly have faith in myself and believe I can help the team. That’s why the manager bought me – I want to push on and win more.
“I know I have to earn the right to play for Liverpool but I’m looking forward to doing that. I don’t shy away from challenges and this is a big one.”
On his exit from Spurs, he said: “I don’t think I let Tottenham down. I gave them everything, since day one. The Spurs fans were always magnificent to me and I will always have a place in my heart for them.
“I had six great years at Spurs. There are players leaving but there are also good players coming in.
“I can only focus on Robbie Keane and what is good for me.”