Lucas Leiva today spoke of his determination to build on his first league goal for the Reds and play an important role in his club's continued pursuit of the title.
The Brazilian midfielder is likely to start in place of the injured Xabi Alonso at West Ham today, where victory will take Liverpool back to the top of the table ahead of Sunday afternoon's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Lucas admits he has struggled to win over the Liverpool fans at times this season, but having performed well over recent weeks he hopes he is starting to prove his doubters wrong.
"I am happy right now because the players and the coach have helped me a lot and now I just have to keep on going and hopefully next season will be even better for us than this one," he said.
"The goal I scored against Newcastle is one way of repaying the faith that the manager has had in me because he has always showed his confidence in me.
"Even when I don't start games I usually get to come on and play some minutes and now it is up to me to show that I have the quality to be part of his team.
"I know not everyone trusts in me but I cannot afford to worry about that - the most important thing is the team and the staff are happy with me and hopefully soon I will be able to show my real quality."
Last weekend's last minute header against Newcastle marked the end of a two year wait for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt - and now he's hoping there are more to come.
"My first league goal was a very special moment for me and it made me really, really happy, especially as it came in front of the Kop," added the Brazilian.
"I was only on the pitch for 15 minutes but whenever you come off the bench you have to try and do something which helps the team and I was happy I was able to do this against Newcastle.
"Unfortunately we are coming towards the end of the season right now but there is still a lot to play for and we must all give everything that we possibly can in the three games we have left, starting at West Ham.
"We keep saying that we hope Man United will drop some points but that hasn't happened up to now. But that doesn't mean it will not happen because strange things can happen in football. All we can do is keep winning our own games and then we will see what happens."
The Brazilian midfielder is likely to start in place of the injured Xabi Alonso at West Ham today, where victory will take Liverpool back to the top of the table ahead of Sunday afternoon's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Lucas admits he has struggled to win over the Liverpool fans at times this season, but having performed well over recent weeks he hopes he is starting to prove his doubters wrong.
"I am happy right now because the players and the coach have helped me a lot and now I just have to keep on going and hopefully next season will be even better for us than this one," he said.
"The goal I scored against Newcastle is one way of repaying the faith that the manager has had in me because he has always showed his confidence in me.
"Even when I don't start games I usually get to come on and play some minutes and now it is up to me to show that I have the quality to be part of his team.
"I know not everyone trusts in me but I cannot afford to worry about that - the most important thing is the team and the staff are happy with me and hopefully soon I will be able to show my real quality."
Last weekend's last minute header against Newcastle marked the end of a two year wait for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt - and now he's hoping there are more to come.
"My first league goal was a very special moment for me and it made me really, really happy, especially as it came in front of the Kop," added the Brazilian.
"I was only on the pitch for 15 minutes but whenever you come off the bench you have to try and do something which helps the team and I was happy I was able to do this against Newcastle.
"Unfortunately we are coming towards the end of the season right now but there is still a lot to play for and we must all give everything that we possibly can in the three games we have left, starting at West Ham.
"We keep saying that we hope Man United will drop some points but that hasn't happened up to now. But that doesn't mean it will not happen because strange things can happen in football. All we can do is keep winning our own games and then we will see what happens."
Really hope he can continue to improve and offer a valuable impact.

RAFA
I think so too, a chance he'll get better, the longer he's here the more he'll hopefully learn and end up a good investment, squad is the operative word though, far from being a 1st choice as yet, if ever, but in the squad yes i'd keep him and give it a little more time to judge his progress or lack of it, either way more time is needed with him imo.
Not saying FORCE, but I think any player coming to England should watch that game to know what extremes it can go to. Forget Boca v River and whatever else, that is the most brutal game in football, hard and fast.
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