Lucas: Reds out to make up for lost time

The Brazilian insists he and his colleagues won't be taking Steve McClaren's side lightly when they run out at St James' Park, but says the focus is firmly on continuing to climb the table.

Confidence is high among the Reds squad after four consecutive wins in all competitions and just one defeat in 11 outings since Jürgen Klopp took charge in October.

And Lucas wants his teammates to harness that belief as they look to continue atoning for their mixed form earlier this season.

"The confidence is always about results. We are in a good run but in the Premier League and other games it’s always hard," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"Newcastle, I know they are probably not in the best moment, but they are playing at home in front of their supporters and one game can change everything.

"For us it’s just the same approach with a lot of focus and belief we can go there and have another victory. 

"I think it’s important for the us now and in the Premier League we have a good run of games because, especially at home, we have lost so many points."

Liverpool's last trip to Tyneside ended in disappointment as they suffered a 1-0 Premier League defeat in November 2014.

Lucas believes that the result can be a more positive one this time, however, if the Reds simply follow the instructions from their manager that have served them so well of late.

"It’s a hard place to go and they have good fans that are always behind the team and it’s going to be a tough game as it always is in the Premier League," he continued.

"But I think we are in good shape, have good momentum and there is nothing we should be worried about to not get a good result. 

"Of course we have to approach it the same way we have been approaching every game and I think if we do everything the manager asks I think we will have a bigger chance to win the game."

Though it is perhaps encouraging ahead of another away fixture, that the Reds have been more productive on the road under Klopp is one of the early quirks of his reign.

Trips to Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton have resulted in comfortable victories, while Anfield has yet to see a win by more than a one-goal margin since the German took charge.

But Lucas is sure that the Kop will be treated to similarly stylish displays as an attack whose confidence is growing works out how to pick off deep defences.

"It’s probably the way teams are set up to play against us," he explained.

"Of course the home form is not bad but it can be better and I’m sure it will improve.

"We’ve got confidence as well and the fans feel a lot better now. 

"I think it’s a case of time that if we perform like we’ve been doing, especially away from home, then the home form will start to improve and we will start to get more points."