Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has defended new signing Jordan Henderson and urged critics of the England Under-21 international to be patient.
Henderson has started seven of eight matches this season, only sitting out last week's League Cup win at Brighton, but has struggled to impress despite scoring against Bolton last month.
He has been substituted four times already and a number of poor performances have led to criticism of the 21-year-old.
Having been through a similar process after signing from Gremio in 2007, Lucas knows only too well about being a target for supporters.
In the seasons that followed he turned things around and insists Henderson can do the same.
"I don't blame the young players because I've been in their place for a few years," said the Brazil international.
"He is English and knows the Premier League but to come to such a big club like Liverpool is really hard. We have to encourage him and try to give him confidence to keep improving.
"Don't rush him a lot, give him time to settle and I am sure he will be a good player in the future."
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