Lucas Leiva is having one of his best spells in nine years at Liverpool and the player puts that down to the arrival of manager Jurgen Klopp.
When the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach was appointed to replace Brendan Rodgers last month and Lucas has said the German coach has give Liverpool a ‘different face.’
Klopp had gone undefeated in his first month as Liverpool boss but was thwarted by Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace as November creeped in.
The Reds lost 2-1 at Anfield in the last match before the international break.
However midfielder Lucas has praised Klopp’s impact in his short time on Merseyside, with the Brazilian already feeling a strong affinity with his new boss.
He told Globo Esparto; "The arrival of Klopp has given me a new energy. He shows he has enough confidence in me,"
"Since he has arrived, we’ve had seven games in four weeks. It’s a high number, but he has managed to give the team a different face.
"I feel close [to him], knowing he’s the boss
"I’ve had great times at the club, but this has really been one of my best phases of my years at Liverpool."
Lucas’s future seemed in doubt under Rodgers especially last summer when he was on the cusp of a move to Turkish club Besiktas.
Nonetheless Klopp seems to value the Brazilian’s qualities a little more, giving the 28 year old a central role in his first eleven.
The ex-Gremio man has featured in all seven matches under the new manager and was even given the captaincy for the defeat to Palace.
"It was a very special moment for me. I’ve been at Liverpool many years so I know how important it is to be captain of Liverpool,"
"I had a very difficult start and really had to change people’s opinions. I wasn’t prepared. But I had the willpower, and the coaches that helped me evolve.
"I identify very strongly with Liverpool now, and I’m in my ninth season."
