'I'll be back at same level'
Lucas Leiva has outlined his determination to regain full fitness and deliver the same high calibre of performances as the ones that saw him flourish for Liverpool before his injury in November 2011.
The Brazilian was back at Melwood this week as Brendan Rodgers put his new squad through their paces in preparation for next season and explained why patience will be the key if he is to get back to full fitness.
"I'll be back at the same level that I was because I am working really hard to recover and the players that I have beside me will help me," said Lucas. "I just have to be patient again; much of my life in Liverpool has been like that.
"I'm still in the progress of my rehab. I've been training with the team for a few days. There is still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done but I am very happy to be able to train and I'm looking forward to the new season.
"I will be trying every week to recover and to progress. It's still four or five weeks until the start of the season and our Europa League games, so it's still too early to say if I will be ready but I'm looking forward to starting the season and being able to play.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the players coming back from the Euros and starting the season. I think everybody is really, really excited for the new season."
He added: "The players are really happy with the way we are training and the sessions. We have a new manager so I think everyone will try to impress him and try to be on the team but the most important thing is to build a strong squad because we have a lot of games during the season.
"I think everyone will have a chance to prove themselves."
The 25-year-old was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Reds captured silverware in February and reached Wembley for the third time that season in early May.
And Lucas admitted that not being able to help his teammates was a bitter pill to swallow.
"It's always hard to watch from the television, especially at a time when I was really enjoying my football and playing with a lot of confidence," he said. "It was hard because I've never had an injury like that and I hope I won't have again.
"So I'm just training everyday and seeing how I feel. I'm improving, I think that's the main thing now and hopefully I will be okay for the rest of the season."