Lucas: A long way to go but it's looking positive
Lucas Leiva insisted there were plenty of positives to take from Jürgen Klopp’s first game in charge of Liverpool following Saturday’s goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The spoils were shared in the German’s first fixture at the helm as the new-look Reds claimed a point thanks to a compact showing at White Hart Lane.
And Lucas believes he and his teammates implemented the new boss's plans well in north London, despite limited preparation time due to the international break.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “We wanted to win the game and we had a few chances. They had a few chances as well which Simon [Mignolet] did very well [with].
“I think for the first game [under the new manager] we could see a lot of positives. Of course with the ball we will get better and be more composed but I think the intensity of our game was a lot higher.
“We kept a clean sheet and there are a lot of positives because [leading up to this game] we were only able to train for a couple of days.
“It’s a good start. We still have a long way to go but it’s all looking positive.”
Saturday's fixture saw Liverpool keep their first clean sheet in nine games and Lucas revealed that Klopp was keen for his side to show plenty of defensive aggression.
He added: “The manager wants us to be very aggressive, be on the front foot all of the time and don’t look back and be worried about what’s behind you. Just look forward, and defensively, I thought we were good.
“Of course they had some good chances but it happens. They have good players and with the ball, for sure we had some good spells and for sure we will get better and understand and learn.
“I think the last four days we have learned a lot and credit to him [Klopp]. He hasn’t changed much in terms of asking us [to do specific things] but he just gave us some information [to help us] and it was enough for the point today.”
Klopp is the fifth manager the No.21 has played under since arriving at Anfield in 2007, and he is excited by the challenge of working with the new boss.
Lucas said: “All the managers bring new things. He has won important trophies and got to the final of the Champions League.
“His CV is amazing and for me it’s amazing to have a chance to work with a manager like him.”
Preparations for the trip to White Hart Lane were disrupted by two hugely disappointing injury blows, with both Danny Ings and Joe Gomez picking up knee problems that are likely to keep them sidelined for some time.
Lucas knows all about the battle his teammates face as they target a return to full fitness, having faced a similarly lengthy lay-off in 2011.
But the Brazilian is confident that both players will come through this difficult time and get back to their best quickly.
“We have been quite unlucky [with injuries] the last few days,” he admitted.
“We have a few players out and some with serious injuries [like] Joe Gomez and Danny Ings.
“It’s a real blow for us because Joe is a young player who has started really well. Danny was probably in the best form of his life, he just made his debut for England, but these things happen.
“I’ve been through these [serious injuries] and I’ve told them they will get back strong.
“They are very young and at the moment we need to cope with the players we have and wait for the other players to come back from injury which will give the manager options.”