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.