Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed details about the “new style” Roy Hodgson is bringing to the club behind the scenes.
The Reds will play their first pre-season friendly tonight, against Switzerland’s Grasshoppers, after a week at a luxury training resort in the Alps.
And Lucas has spoken about his delight at new boss Hodgson’s involvement in the training sessions and communication with the players, something which was Rafa Benitez’s lack of involvement in was a criticism of Hodgson’s predecessor.
“We just have to keep focused and see where we will go,” he said. “The new manager likes to be involved in the training sessions all the time. He is always talking, he is keen to focus on the small details and it is good for us.
“It is a new style. I’ve not had too many club managers in my career – this is only the third one – and this is different but hopefully everyone will get his message.
“We can see what he wants to do and in another couple of weeks, when all the players are back, it will be better again.”
Lucas also said that there is a renewed sense of realistic optimism within the Reds camp after the disappointment of last season. He added, “The expectation last season was really high and everyone was talking about titles, especially the Premier League. Now things are more calm and we are waiting to see what will happen but we have faith that we can do really well.
“We have got important games from the start. There is the Europa League, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup and the league. As always we will try to win a trophy and we will do our best. I haven’t always had the best times in the three seasons I have been here.
“All I can do is keep trying to be strong in my mind. I just want to help the team and I have got to show two managers – here and with the national team – what I can do. All that matters is making Liverpool successful and I want to play my part.”
Grasshoppers vs Liverpool gets underway at 6.30pm this evening.
