'Early fight made me strong'
Lucas Leiva has admitted there were times when he thought he might not make it as a Liverpool player and spoken about the fight that helped him become a Kop favourite.
The Brazilian arrived at Anfield in 2007 but it was several seasons before he established himself as a first-team regular.
Those fans who were unconvinced by his early performances were eventually won over in style, and by 2010-11 he was being voted their player of the season on official and unofficial websites.
On Friday, in a forum with supporters from some of those unofficial sites, Lucas claimed his early struggles helped him become a better player.
"It was hard for me when I came, I was a young boy and had no idea about the Premier League, the way football was played here, the culture, the city," the 25-year-old said. "Everything was a big change for me.
"Many times I thought maybe my life here was finished but I always felt something different that told me to keep going, to keep trying to change the opinions, and I think people started to realise the work I was putting into the games.
"Maybe it was not working how I wanted or how you wanted, but as soon as people started to realise I was trying everything I could, people started to give me more credit. That's when I felt everything was changing.
"That period made me stronger and made me realise where I was. Every day of my life I try to give my best for this club, because I really know how big this club is and how much people, the supporters, expect.
"I think I can handle anything that happens now.
"There is an expression in Brazil which says 'We're Brazilian, we never give up'. I think I followed that very well.
"It's a different situation today and I am enjoying it."
Having been in the Anfield spotlight from an early age, Lucas is a perfect candidate to help the youngsters currently breaking through handle the pressure.
He said: "I see criticism of young players and sometimes I feel it's a bit unfair because if you're young, you have ups and downs. Nobody is a top player at 18 or 20. There are only a few who can say that.
"I just try to be around and tell them what I went through.
"Confidence is 50 or 60 per cent of the game. If you have confidence you try more."
Players like Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Wisdom, Suso and Raheem Sterling have been given extended chances to shine under Brendan Rodgers and Lucas thinks the future is bright.
"Maybe we didn't sign too many big players but that's an opportunity for the young players," he said. "I was speaking with Suso and Pacheco a few weeks ago, and I said the club has never been so open for young players since I came here.
"I feel the supporters like it, they like the young players coming from the Academy. You've had Stevies and Carraghers. That's the time now. Brendan likes to give chances and that will be positive in the future because these players will just get better. If they are doing well now, can you imagine in a few years' time?"
Lucas spent much of last season on the sidelines with a knee injury but returned ahead of schedule to start 2012-13 under the new manager.
Sadly, just a few minutes into our second Barclays Premier League game of the season - against Manchester City at Anfield - he sustained a thigh injury which consigned him to another several months in the treatment room.
"It's been the worst experience of my career because I've never had experience of injuries," he said. "The knee injury was bad because it's a long-term injury and I had to recover for seven, eight months. But this one has been worse, because I'd got so close. I was feeling well, feeling fit. To have to wait again and start another rehab, it's been very difficult.
"I've just got to try and be positive. There is nothing I can do, just try to get right again and not rush, be with the family and try to be strong.
"It's important not to rush, to get back when I really feel able to play 100 per cent."