'The boss told us to find a way to win - and we did'
Lucas Leiva felt Liverpool's 'passion, determination and belief' allowed the team to finally fulfil Jürgen Klopp's demand that they find a way to win at Norwich City on Saturday.
They did so with a 95th-minute strike by substitute Adam Lallana to seal a 5-4 result with the final kick of a Barclays Premier League match that defied logic for long periods.
Roberto Firmino had kicked off the scoring to put the Reds in front but a backheel from Dieumerci Mbokani and Steven Naismith’s diagonal blast meant Klopp’s men trailed at the interval.
During the break, the manager told his players the three points could still be theirs, though their task increased when Wes Hoolahan converted a penalty to give the Canaries a two-goal cushion.
However, Jordan Henderson, Firmino and James Milner all struck back to haul Liverpool ahead and even Sebastien Bassong’s stoppage-time equaliser could not stop them as they raced to the other end and Lallana pounced.
Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com: “Of course, we are happy to get the result, especially the way it was at half-time.
“The manager just said we had to find a way to win. We did it. Of course, it’s not the best way to win a game but maybe it was what we needed.
“We need to improve a lot but the passion, determination and belief is there. Hopefully, we’ll improve in things we’re not doing so well now and then move on.
“If we can score five goals and defend set-pieces especially a little bit better, we would be winning games more comfortably. It’s better to win the game but we know we have to improve.
“But it will give us a lot of belief. On Tuesday we have a very big game, a semi-final and a chance to go to Wembley. We will do everything we can to get there.”
Stoke City come to Anfield on Tuesday night for the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final, with Liverpool a goal ahead in the tie courtesy of Jordon Ibe’s effort at the Britannia Stadium in the first game.
A win or draw in the return would send Lucas and co to Wembley for a meeting with Everton or Manchester City – and the Brazilian promised any thoughts of fatigue will be put to one side.
He said: “It’s one of the biggest games of the season until now and a good chance for us to go to Wembley. We don’t need any more motivation.
“We will recover and for sure everyone will be 100 per cent, mentally and physically, for Tuesday.”