Lucas has started every Premier League game this season for Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva hopes to follow in the footsteps of the club's top players as he bids to secure a regular place in the side.

The 22-year-old believes he can keep learning from the best players in the world like club captain Steven Gerrard.

"I'm in my third season now and I'm playing more games," Lucas told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"When you have players like Steven and Javier Mascherano around you can always learn and they can also help you."

He continued: "Steven, 10 years ago, started like me. But when you are focused and you work hard you can get a chance [to show what you can do]."

Maybe this year we have a chance to get to the final and hopefully we can start well Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva

Liverpool comfortably beat Burnley on Saturday to take them to fifth in the Premier League table, after what has been a mixed opening to the season.

The Reds start their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Hungarian side Debrecen at Anfield, with Lucas hoping to be in the starting line-up.

The Brazilian international believes it is vital for his side to start the competition with a victory.

"We know when we play at home we have to get a good result," added Lucas.

"We know the Champions League is really difficult.

"Maybe this year we have a chance to get to the final and hopefully we can start well. If you have a defeat at home it will always be more difficult for future matches.

"If you start well at home by winning we will have more confidence in the future. Then we can try and go through to the last 16."

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