Lucas Leiva praises Liverpool youngsters

Lucas Leiva, Liverpool (Getty Images)

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Liverpool’s midfielder Lucas Leiva has heaped praise on the young players from the club’s academy who have come straight into the team.

Liverpool have done remarkably well since Kenny Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson in January and have gone from a bottom half team to one who are just three points behind Tottenham Hotspur, albeit having played an extra game.

Their upturn in form is even more remarkable considering the number of academy players who have recently started playing for the first-team.

Full-backs Jack Robinson and John Flanagan have both come in and given promising performances, but Lucas gave special mention to midfield partner Jay Spearing.

Spearing, who is only 22-years-old, has started 16 times for the club this season as injuries have hit more established players such as Steven Gerrard.

And Lucas, who is only two years his senior, is impressed with how he has handled the expectation of winning every game.

“We know it is very difficult when it is your first season in the Premier League but he has come in and played really well,” said the Brazil international.

“Always we are under pressure to win because we still think we can get fifth place but he has done well and is developing very quickly – and the same goes for the other younger players.”

“If you see the younger players I am already old but I am still learning.

“When I arrived in Liverpool a lot of people helped me to learn and that is what I am doing now, trying to give Jay some confidence on the pitch.

“The team looks good and we are happy because when fans see more young players coming in and playing well that means Liverpool have a bright future.”

Having closed in on Spurs, Lucas is hopeful that Liverpool can continue their momentum and pip them to the last Europa League place.

He added: “It means everyone is together.”

“The team is building confidence and we just have to finish as high as possible at the end of the season.

“I think the way we are playing at the moment we deserve to be higher.

“Tottenham still have an advantage because they have one game in hand and are three points ahead but we have to make sure we win every single game and if we do we will have a happy end to the season.”