Joao: I'm giving my best for more opportunities
Joao Carlos Teixeira arrived at Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon four years ago dreaming of the sort of first-team opportunities that have recently come his way.
The Portuguese has enjoyed his most productive spell at Anfield this season, making six appearances in all competitions thanks to Jürgen Klopp's commitment to making full use of his squad across four competitions.
Such chances to impress have been a long time coming for Teixeira, who spent last season on loan at Brighton at Hove Albion having made his senior Reds debut at the back end of the memorable 2013-14 campaign.
His first start for the club came earlier this season, against Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup at Anfield, and he has since featured in the starting line-up in all four FA Cup matches this term.
The standout moment from that run was his first Liverpool goal, which came against Exeter City in a third-round replay under the lights at Anfield.
"It was great because it was at Anfield and in front of the Kop," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "It was a great feeling to score that goal. It was dream that finally happened.
"I’ve been happy with my performances this season. I want to play more and get more minutes – that’s what I’m trying to do every day.
"I’m training hard, working hard and giving my best so that when I have a chance to play, I play the best I can.”
Klopp has given Teixeira and a number of other less experienced players the chance to prove their worth as injuries have piled up during a hectic schedule.
The playmaker, who has been able show off his nifty footwork and eye for a pass when given a run-out, says he has the self-belief to play his natural game thanks to the support of the manager.
He continued: "We have had a lot of games, two games a week at least. You can’t play with [the same] 11 players, so you have to change the team. He has trusted the young players and they have been doing well.
“He gives us confidence and always tells us to enjoy the game, not to be afraid and to do our best. The young players have been showing that.
“He always gives me a lot of confidence to play my game, to be free on the pitch and not to be afraid. Confidence is the most important thing for a player.
“When someone is behind you and pushes you all the time – saying ‘you can do it’, ‘you will do it’ – it is good because it gives you confidence. You know you have the support from the manager. You can see he is a very passionate person for football and everything he does. It’s great to have his support.
“He [Klopp] has showed [his confidence] in the cup games – FA Cup and Capital One Cup. He has been playing the young players and showed confidence.
“We’re young and have a big desire. We want to play more. We don’t have anything to lose, it’s the opposite. Every minute we play is to win and to show how good we are and can be. That’s what all of the younger players are trying to do now.”
Teixeira is now looking to take his game to the next level. His only appearance in the Premier League this season came from the bench in the away defeat to Leicester City earlier this month.
Featuring in the top-flight more often is the next item on his agenda, and he reveals he is putting every effort into achieving the goal.
He said: "The Premier League is the main competition. Everyone wants to play cup games but the Premier League is the main thing. I’m trying to look for more minutes and games in the Premier League because it’s a dream.
“I have been working hard. When the chance comes, I just need to be ready to play. Train well every day and the chance will come. When it comes, we just have to take it.
“Everyone wants to play and more minutes in the Premier League because the Premier League is the main competition."