Teixeira: Klopp gives confidence to challenge for Liverpool FC first team

The Portuguese midfielder is looking forward to playing more minutes under the Liverpool boss

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool hugs Joao Teixeira of Liverpool during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on January 30, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“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.”

The 23-year-old playmaker has played seven times for Liverpool, with six of those appearances coming under Klopp.

He is one of a number of inexperienced players the German boss has handed opportunities to since his arrival – and Teixeira believes that is giving all the youngsters a boost.

He added: “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.

“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.”