Hodgson keeps faith in summer signings

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has backed his summer signings to come good in the same way midfielder Lucas Leiva has emerged as a key performer this season.

The Brazil international was one of the club’s most derided players of recent seasons after suffering a couple of years of constant criticism.

However, Lucas, still only 23, has grown in stature in a difficult campaign and put in a man-of-the-match performance in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

It was expected the arrival of the experienced Christian Poulsen from Juventus would restrict his first-team appearances but the opposite has been true.

Hodgson admits the 30-year-old Dane, whose substitution in last week’s Europa League win over Napoli was greeted with ironic cheers, has struggled to adapt after moving from Serie A.

But Hodgson believes he along with Joe Cole, whose Liverpool career has been interrupted by suspension and injury, and Raul Meireles will play key roles this season.

“People clearly marked my card as regards to many players and when I came I knew there was a prejudice against him,” said the Reds boss.

“I can only judge as I find and I find him very hard working, a very diligent player who works hard on his understanding of the game and team performances.

“Christian Poulsen, who has had a bad start to the season, is to some extent also a victim of prejudice at the moment.

“I am convinced in both of these players we have really useful players who will serve us to great effect for the rest of the season.

“Raul is a good footballer and was very good in setting up the second goal for Fernando Torres against Chelsea and I think we will get a lot of use out of him.

The hamstring injury which kept Cole out of the game against former club Chelsea will also sideline him as Liverpool look for a fourth Barclays Premier League win at Wigan tonight.

Defender Glen Johnson is set for a return after sitting out Sunday with a groin problem but youngster Martin Kelly excelled as his deputy and Hodgson now feels competition is starting to grow within the squad.

“They will work hard to get back. Joe Cole is a magnificent professional but he would have wished for a better start to his Liverpool career – we all would have done,” he added.

“No-one wants it more than him so I don’t have any fears on either score with those two players.