Joao Teixeira

[Mystic]

Teixeira in contention for Liverpool’s first team squad says Rodgers

11 Feb 2014 09:58



"Joao has been one of the outstanding performers for the reserves"

Luis Suarez and Joao Carlos Teixeira during a training session at Melwood

Brendan Rodgers has revealed how the form of youngster Joao Carlos Teixeira has put him in contention for Liverpool’s first team squad .
The Portugal Under-21s midfielder has been promoted from the Academy to train at Melwood in recent weeks.
Rodgers has been impressed by Teixeira, who has yet to make a senior appearance since his £800,000 move from Sporting Lisbon two years ago.
Teixeira was included in the travelling party for the recent FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.
The Reds boss believes the youngster, who had a brief loan spell at Brentford earlier in the season, is starting to fulfil his potential.
“I have contact with Alex Inglethorpe on a daily basis and Joao has been one of the outstanding performers for the reserves,” Rodgers told the ECHO.
“It's been difficult for him at times. When he has stepped up to the first team before it has been difficult for him.
“But I’ve seen a big difference in him. He is a talent.
“I always observe in training and see where players are at and Joao has looked very good. His intensity, the speed of his game – he has undoubted quality and he has showed up very well. We have brought in a number of young players to be around the squad.
“Brad Smith has been training here along with Jack Dunn, Joao and Stephen Sama. They have all looked very good and that’s the idea – to bring young players through.”

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I hope he makes it to the bench soon - I think the talent and confidence is there. We should definitely consider loaning him out next year to a team that will play him - either lower tier PL or Championship - as he needs more competitive games to take his game to the next level.

 

[Fallon]

I wondered after seeing him in a group photo after the Arsenal game.

You've got to love the way Rodgers is brining the youth through. Am happy to see it's 4-6 knocking on the door as opposed to just Sterling and Flanno.

 

[Modo]

Good news and it doesnt surprise me at all

 

[gkmacca]

So much for the bad attitude in training. He's a top talent.

 

[kingjulian]

Yes, but has he played for the reserves yet?

 

[gkmacca]

Yes, but has he played for the reserves yet?

More times than Ilori!

 

[gkmacca]

 

[irishred]

Good news and it doesnt surprise me at all

X2

 

[gkmacca]

He's stronger than Suso and a little more direct, with a bit more of an eye for goal, so I have high hopes for him.

 

[DHSC]

What's his best position?

 

[peterhague]

So much for the bad attitude in training. He's a top talent.

I still think something must have been going wrong for him. Brannagan, less talented and more than 3 years younger, got on the bench ahead of him in the FA cup last month.

I really rate him as a player, though, so glad things are finally moving now.

 

[doctor_mac]

Makes Alberto's signing all the more difficult to justify though.

 

[Modo]

Makes Alberto's signing all the more difficult to justify though.

Yep

 

[tony]

He's stronger than Suso and a little more direct, with a bit more of an eye for goal, so I have high hopes for him.

He is a year older than Suso though. I've only seen him 3/4 times and whilst obviously talented he has looked a bit disinterested at times. A bit like Suso too good for the reserves not quite ready for the first team.

 

[tony]

Makes Alberto's signing all the more difficult to justify though.

Mystifying really

 

[gkmacca]

What's his best position?

Number 10, alas. But he's good coming in from the left, so I guess he'd start there.

 

[irishred]

He is a year older than Suso though. I've only seen him 3/4 times and whilst obviously talented he has looked a bit disinterested at times. A bit like Suso too good for the reserves not quite ready for the first team.

I thought the same about him being disinterested and being petulant and blaming teammates for his bad passes, but since that ill-fated loan to Brentford, it seemed to give him a kick up the backside and he's been ace.

 

[DHSC]

Number 10, alas. But he's good coming in from the left, so I guess he'd start there.

Can he play like how Coutinho does? If yes, we could potentially save a lot of money on that position.

 

[gkmacca]

Can he play like how Coutinho does? If yes, we could potentially save a lot of money on that position.

He could do, yes. His shooting's better than Coutinho, although in terms of vision I doubt he'll ever match him.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

This bit was most interesting to me:

“It's been difficult for him at times. When he has stepped up to the first team before it has been difficult for him."
“But I’ve seen a big difference in him. He is a talent."
“I always observe in training and see where players are at and Joao has looked very good. His intensity, the speed of his game – he has undoubted quality and he has showed up very well."

I suppose he's struggled when the intensity, demand or difficulty level was stepped up. It's good to see that we have an arrangement for a talented player not making the desired grade yet to move back down a level to continue their education while still keeping the door open so they get another chance to come back up and try again. I think the likes of Sterling and Flanagan have benefited from this arrangement in the past season as well.

 

[gkmacca]

Yes, it's very reassuring.

 

[gkmacca]

Very pleased for the lad tonight, he's a great prospect.

 

[Frogfish]

Indeed. Looks like he has tons of confidence.

 

[superchimp]

Seems very tidy with the ball and not afraid to show his ability.

I like him....

 

[OLD_Lewy]

shame about the miss, it would have been brilliant for him, must have been absolutely tons of pressure for him though

 

[Leo]

He takes up some terrific positions like he almost floats into them.
Could be a very useful squad player for the remainder of the season.

 

[Modo]

The kid looked confident and to me that's very reassuring

 

[Buddha]

Excellent little cameo. I'd be tempted to give him the last 20 again v Arsenal on Sunday regardless of the score.

 

[gkmacca]

I'm not getting into a Suso versus Teixeira, debate, because I'm a big fan of both of them, but I've thought for a while that Teixeira will make it first. He's tough, sharp and clever, and he's got a future here. Roll on when Suso appears, too.