Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has talked up the club’s young players, following the team’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Exeter City on Friday night. The Reds snatched a draw after twice trailing the League Two side, with manager Jurgen Klopp fielding a team of young players.
"I think they did pretty well. It was difficult conditions, the pitch wasn’t so good, but they took their chances. It was a hard game, of course, and going behind twice, but to get the equalising goal is all credit to them to keep going and keep believing.
"We now have another chance to play the replay and hopefully get through. I think there are a few [standouts] to be honest. Probably the ones that have been playing more and playing really well."
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Lucas continued, ""Joao Teixeira, he had a very good game against Bournemouth and Exeter; Cameron [Brannagan], I think he’s a very good footballer, he’s not afraid to tackle and technically he’s very good; both full-backs, Brad Smith and Connor Randall, they have been very good.
“All of them have been training here and getting their chances and the future is very bright for them."
Lucas hopes the rest afforded to first team players will stand them in good stead for a busy January ahead, starting with a midweek visit from Arsenal, “We hope [it will help] because we’ve just had a few more days to prepare," he added.
“We are used to this time of the year you get more injuries and that’s why you need everyone. Everyone needs to be ready when the chance comes. But at the same time you have injuries, you have players coming back, which is a big boost for the squad, and hopefully we will be fine for the next busy period that we have.
“It’s the life of a footballer, especially if you want to fight for the club. You’ll never be 100 per cent, it’s a very rare day where you wake up and feel perfect – I don’t think it’s possible."