Teixeira pleased with mini-derby run-out
Joao Carlos Teixeira was pleased to get much-needed playing time and a welcome goal as he featured for Liverpool U21s against Everton on Wednesday - even if the result was not ideal.
The Portuguese midfielder bagged the second of the Reds' three first-half goals against their local rivals with a well-hit strike from the edge of the box.
But Michael Beale's side went on to surrender their advantage as the Toffees fought back from 3-0 down to claim a draw in Southport.
Despite the disappointing nature of the turnaround, however, Teixeira, who is still chasing full fitness after a lengthy lay-off due to a broken leg, was delighted to be back out on the pitch and scoring goals in a red shirt again.
"It's disappointing [the result] but it was good for me, I played well, and I need to get fit," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"In my position I always want to score or assist, that's my job and it's what I try to do every single game I'm on the pitch."
The 22-year-old also vowed that he and his young teammates will learn lessons from Everton's fightback, which began with a deflected Joe Williams effort late in the first half.
"We started very well and the first half was good but we weren't good enough to [stay] ahead of them and we drew," he added.
"We [will] learn from our mistakes and we weren't good enough to win this game.
"It's a different game against Everton, it's always good to play these derby games and I enjoyed it."
Teixeira was one of a select band of young players given the opportunity to take part in the senior squad's pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and Finland.
And the former Sporting CP academy starlet says regular exposure to high-quality training with the first team is helping him to progress.
"When you play with good players you always improve," he said.
"It's always good to be around Melwood and the pre-season was good, I enjoyed it, I played a few games and I tried to do my best."