Gerrard: It was only a matter of time for Joao

Steven Gerrard has praised Joao Carlos Teixera following the Portuguese youngster's impressive nine minute cameo at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night and says it was "only a matter of time" before the talented midfielder made the breakthrough.

The 21 year old has only recently been promoted to train with the first team but Gerrard says he always knew Teixera would eventually make the breakthrough, telling the Liverpool ECHO: “It has only been a matter of time. I watched this kid a couple of years ago playing for Sporting Lisbon against Liverpool at Anfield in a youth game; I could see straight away he was the best player on the pitch."

It wasn't a smooth road to the first team for Teixera, however, he was initially dogged by a serious back injury that sidelined him for most of his first year at the club following a £1m move from Sporting, and even when he returned it took him a long time to get back to his best level.

Earlier this season he was sent on loan to Brentford to gain experience but didn't get a look in and was promptly sent back to Liverpool where he returned to train with the under 21s. His form at under 21 level following his return was vastly improved and he was rewarded by a call up to train with the senior squad at Melwood, where he has obviously made quite an impression in a short space of time.

“Credit to him, he has kept working hard" said Gerrard. "He is competing, he is trying to improve and learn. He listens – I’ve just been speaking to him in the dressing room and you can see he wants to learn and listen.

“He has got respect for the other players in the dressing room. This is the start for him now – I’ve just told him that he needs to push on, keep learning and building on what he has just achieved. He deserved his debut and he made a special tackle which helped us get over the line.”

Does Teixera have what it takes and would you start him against Arsenal on Sunday?