Oldham Athletic goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis is determined to return to the top.

The Australian was described by Rafa Benitez as the best goalkeeper in the world for his age when the Spaniard brought him to Liverpool as a 16-year-old in 2007.

Bouzanis told the Sunday Mirror: "It was obviously a massive ­statement when Rafa said what he did.

"I haven't met that level of ­expectation yet, but I don't regret what Rafa said because it gives your confidence a ­massive lift.

"I still feel I have got something to prove. I haven't gone down the ­Liverpool route, but something big can still happen to my career if I keep working hard.

"I'm loving every minute at Oldham. They have given me the opportunity to play and I've got no regrets.

"Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to eventually get the chance to take two steps forward - just like my best mate Tom Ince."