Lucas: Old Trafford debutants can handle it
Lucas Leiva has backed Liverpool's potential Old Trafford debutants to step up to the challenge of taking on Manchester United in their own back yard for the first time.
The likes of Joe Gomez, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Jordon Ibe - all of whom are under the age of 24 - are hoping for their first run-out at the Red Devils' home ground when Brendan Rodgers' team head there on Saturday afternoon.
The two historic rivals will be hoping to land an early blow to the other's hopes of claiming a top-four Barclays Premier League finish this term, meaning the intensity of the fixture is likely to be as high as ever.
But Lucas, who made his Old Trafford debut as Liverpool thrashed United 4-1 there in 2009, expects his young teammates to make the step up.
"It's different but it's something that you have to go through," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"I remember in 2009 I was quite young and I played at Old Trafford, we won 4-1 and I probably wasn't expecting that start - you just have to get through it.
"The young players today have a lot of experience at a very early stage, they play a lot of big games and with the national team, so I think they will be fine."
The Reds will be without influential playmaker Philippe Coutinho when they make the trip down the East Lancs Road, with the Brazilian serving a one-match suspension.
Lucas is adamant that his compatriot's replacement in the starting XI should simply be themselves, rather than attempting to emulate Coutinho's brilliance.
"I think it's very hard to replace Philippe because he's probably the player who creates more offensively than anyone else," the midfielder said.
"But the player who comes in will just have to try to be himself and do whatever they will be asked.
"Don't try to [do] what Philippe does because I don't think that's fair to anybody [to expect].
"Of course, he's a big miss, but he will learn from that and we will have him back after that game."
The 28-year-old is not getting carried away after a disappointing defeat by West Ham United last time out, either, insisting the focus should be on the positive results that preceded it.
"It is hard because we meet people on the street and they always show their emotion," he added.
"But it's the beginning of the season, it's our fifth game, we just have to concentrate.
"Of course our last result wasn't great but we had three other results that people were excited about, so it's three against one.
"It's positive and we [must] keep the belief."