Lucas Leiva is full of praise for Jurgen Klopp’s first few days at Liverpool’s Melwood complex.
The Brazilian midfielder is one of only a handful of first-team players who were not away on international duty during the Premier League break, and so was able to experience Klopp’s management style first hand.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Lucas provided an insight into what his new boss demands of his players:
“Monday was our first day on the grass with the new manager in charge. It has been very good, very positive and hopefully it will keep going like that.
“He seems to be very passionate – he likes to put in everything that he has and he asks the players for the same. Be very intense, be aggressive with yourself, is what he has been saying.
“Always try to be better, always give 10 metres more, because that will be the key to success. That is what he has been saying to us in the last couple of days.”
The player is impressed with the German’s openness and positivity around the players:
“He seems to be a very open manager and someone that likes to be close to the players, but very straight as well.
“That’s what I’ve learned from the last couple of days and I think it was a positive way to start. He said that he’s here because he believes in the team and the club.
“He was so successful at his last club, Borussia Dortmund. Of course, when a manager like him comes it always gives you a lot of hope.
“I think everyone is really excited to learn with him and improve as a player and a team, because that’s the only way we will achieve what we want.”
But Lucas stresses that it is ultimately up to the players to implement Klopp’s philosophy:
“It’s still early days; we have to listen a lot and try to pick up all of the information that he gives us. Then we’ll be able to put onto the pitch what he wants.
“As soon as we start to put together everything that he says, we have a better chance to succeed.”
