After 13 years with Liverpool FC it came as a surprise when Michael Owen completed a €12m move to Real Madrid CF. Not simply because the striker was part of the furniture at Anfield, but because with the likes of Raúl González, Fernando Morientes and Ronaldo, the Spanish giants were hardly lacking strikers. The 24-year-old did not score on his Madrid debut at RCD Mallorca last weekend but did provide the cross which gave Ronaldo the only goal of the game. He spoke to uefa.com about his first weeks in Spain and getting acquainted with his new team-mates

How do you view Madrid's chances in the Champions League this season?

It's achievable. I'd like to think that everyone at the club thinks that.

And it is possible that Madrid could meet Liverpool. What would you feel about returning to Anfield so soon?

I'd love the chance to play them in the Champions League, to go back and see everyone.

That sounds like you are missing Liverpool?

My fiancée and the baby have moved and my parents are flitting over, but I'll probably miss seeing the lads every day. I'm sure playing at the Bernabéu will soften the blow.

How big a wrench though, was it to leave the club you have been with for 13 years?

I was nervous about leaving Liverpool but deep down I knew I wouldn't get this opportunity twice. If you are not going to be playing at the highest level when you have the opportunity, then you could sit there, picking up the salary, taking it easy. That's not me. I want to be pushing myself.

Does it concern you that you may not be a regular starter?

I didn't come here expecting to walk into the first team. No doubt I'll have to spend time on the bench to start with, but I'm never happy unless I'm succeeding and playing. It will be like when I first started with England or Liverpool. When I was 17 I remember looking at Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore in the Liverpool team. You have to have the belief that you can muscle your way in, but I know that I'm down the pecking order.

In your autobiography, you mention that you did not have David Beckham's mobile number. We presume that has changed now?

Oh yes [laughs]. But I'm still not too comfortable with the bright lights. Just because I've signed for another club doesn't mean I've changed, but I've spoken to him about living advice, about the best areas to look for a house.

How have things been generally in your first few days?

On the first day, I went into the dressing room, smiled for the cameras, but my name wasn't up there on the locker-room door. It was still Javier Portillo [who has been loaned out to ACF Fiorentina]. I looked to one side and there was Ronaldo, Raúl and [Luís] Figo. Wherever you look there are massive names. Not all of them speak English, but Figo sits right next to me and speaks really good English. So does [Michel] Salgado, who is a really nice fellow. The first day was like going back to school, nerve-racking, meeting people and not knowing your way round. I was looking like a little kid lost but people were really kind, showing me the way. When I am struggling I just phone David.