Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and manager Rafa Benitez have backed midfielder Lucas Leiva to shine at Anfield.
The 20-year-old arrived at Liverpool in the summer and has been slowly accruing pitch time since, most recently against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
His midfield partner for the game, Steven Gerrard, has been impressed with how quickly the Brazilian has settled in England.
"He could have had the winner in the derby on his league debut and there aren't many players who can say that," he told the club’s official website.
"It is always difficult for new players to come on in the derby, especially when they're used to playing a different style of football in a different country. But Lucas came on and acquitted himself well.
"I've seen enough of him in training and in games to know that he has got a great future.
"He is only a young lad but once he picks up more experience and if he keeps on doing the right things in training and listening to the right people, then I'm sure he will go on to be a great player."
Lucas' appearances from the bench so far this season have also impressed boss Rafa Benitez, who revealed that fans can expect to see more and more of the Brazil international as the campaign progresses.
Benitez said: "He is the captain of the Brazilian under-21 team and he has already won a cap for the first team, so we knew all about his quality.
"It is not as if he was playing for one of the smaller countries. It is Brazil and it is really difficult for a player to play for such a big team at such a young age.
"So we were happy to sign him, and I am sure we will see more and more of him as the season goes on."
The 20-year-old arrived at Liverpool in the summer and has been slowly accruing pitch time since, most recently against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
His midfield partner for the game, Steven Gerrard, has been impressed with how quickly the Brazilian has settled in England.
"He could have had the winner in the derby on his league debut and there aren't many players who can say that," he told the club’s official website.
"It is always difficult for new players to come on in the derby, especially when they're used to playing a different style of football in a different country. But Lucas came on and acquitted himself well.
"I've seen enough of him in training and in games to know that he has got a great future.
"He is only a young lad but once he picks up more experience and if he keeps on doing the right things in training and listening to the right people, then I'm sure he will go on to be a great player."
Lucas' appearances from the bench so far this season have also impressed boss Rafa Benitez, who revealed that fans can expect to see more and more of the Brazil international as the campaign progresses.
Benitez said: "He is the captain of the Brazilian under-21 team and he has already won a cap for the first team, so we knew all about his quality.
"It is not as if he was playing for one of the smaller countries. It is Brazil and it is really difficult for a player to play for such a big team at such a young age.
"So we were happy to sign him, and I am sure we will see more and more of him as the season goes on."
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