Date of Birth - 21/01/91
Nationality - Argentinian/Spanish
Position - Midfielder
Squad Number -
Cost - Undisclosed
Club Hons (Lpool) - Reserve League North 2007/08, National Reserve Title 2007/08
Intnl Hons - Spain u17
Other Clubs - Real Madrid
Argentine born Gerardo arrived at Anfield from Real Madrid in the summer of 2007. He had been somewhat unfairly labelled 'Real Madrid's Messi' by some sections of the Spanish press, and that was a billing he was never going to be able to live up to. He may be left footed and from Argentina, but that's where the comparisons end, Bruna is a completely different type of player to the unique Messi. Nevertheless, Madrid didn't want to lose the youngster, and that is proof that the boy is a talent.
Despite being the same age as the 1st year trainess at the Academy, Gerardo and fellow 16 year old import from Spain - Dani Pacheco - bypassed the Academy and went straight into the reserve squad based at Melwood. However, his first appearances for the club were for the u18 side at the Academy. He did well in those games, without really standing out as being anything particularly special. That 'new Messi' tag was clearly way off, but it was apparent that the boy had ability.
Gradually he became more involved with Gary Ablett's squad, and it was on the reserve team's trip to America for the Dallas Cup where Bruna really began to make his presence felt. His delivery from set pieces became a potent weapon. As well as being capable of scoring spectacular goals from free-kicks, Gerardo even found the net direct from a corner kick as Liverpool lifted the trophy in front of the watching Tom Hicks.
Gerardo was mainly used as a substitute as the reserves were crowned Premier League North champions, but his progression at the club was hampered by regular call ups to the Spanish u17 squad, which meant - like Pacheco - he was unavailable for a number of games.
Gerardo is eligible to play for either Argentina or Spain, but at the moment he has opted to play for Spain, and he was a part of the squad that lifted the u17 World Cup.
