Friday 18 November 2016 09:09, UK
Lucas Leiva says Liverpool can win the Premier League title this season, but admits there is plenty of work still to do.
Jurgen Klopp's men have spent the international break sitting top of the table, one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal.
They rounded off their rise to the summit with a 6-1 thrashing of Watford at the start of the month, with Lucas starting at centre-back in place of the ill Dejan Lovren.
The victory at Anfield saw Liverpool extend their unbeaten run to 12 games, and Lucas believes the Reds can win the Premier League title, but he is not counting on lifting the trophy just yet after previous experiences.
"Yes I think we can with the title. We have had very good results and playing against some very hard teams and we've showed that if we perform the way we are at this moment, we believe we can win the title," he told Soccer Saturday.
"But it is a very early stage. I have been top of the league in other years at this stage around Christmas time and ended up not winning so we have to go game by game and it is a long season.
"There are times that we will be struggling as every team does and we will have to be able to cope with that, still collect as many points as we can and see where it will take us by May.
"Of course we know where we are at this moment but it is something we don't really talk too much about. It is great to be there but there are still a lot of games to be played and we want to end up there.
"Watford was a very good result and performance. I've been involved in other good games that we probably didn't win 6-1 but 2-1 or 3-1. I remember a few games last year as well where we had a very good performance.
"The momentum is very good, the performances have been very good so we still have a lot to improve. That's positive because if we can be top of the league and still have a lot to improve, then that's a good sign of what we are trying to do everyday in training."
Lucas is now in his 10th season with Liverpool, having joined the club in July 2007, and thinks the current side is one of the best he has been involved in while he believes his work ethic has kept him at Anfield for so long.
"I think it is a very strong squad. It is almost hard to compare because the teams are different, the mangers are different," he added.
"I can see this team now doesn't rely on only one player. That's what has been the big factor for me. Having been in and around for many years and watching players, I think this team is becoming a very strong team, it doesn't rely on one or two players.
"We had individual players who are doing very well at this moment but goals are coming from everywhere and results have been good so that's probably the point I would make about this team but it is very hard to say. It is probably one of the best, yes.
"I think of all the critics I have, I probably have something good to offer here. Liverpool is a club where I love playing, I enjoy every minute. I know it won't be forever, so I just try to give my best all the time.
"That's why I've probably been here, playing under five mangers and that's how I have been doing over the last 10 years. There have been moments that have been very hard, very down and frustrating but you have to keep working and try to help as much as you can and that's what I try to do."
Next up for Lucas and Liverpool is a trip to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, where the title credentials of Klopp's side will once again be put to the test.
"Every away game, you say these kind of games are difficult but you have to get the three points like it was against Crystal Palace and all the teams so it's another hard one," Lucas said.
"Southampton always have very good teams and good players, some of the players are here with us now which shows how strong they can be. They probably haven't had the results they wanted in the last few games but they are a very good side and it will be another big test for us.
"If we can get through that, it will be another sign that we are ready to challenge for everything."
