Lucas calls for flying start

Lucas has emphasised the importance of a successful opening night as Liverpool FC prepare to raise the curtain on their 2009/10 UEFA Champions League campaign against Debreceni VSC.

Fine record
The midfielder was a scorer in Liverpool's last outing in the competition – a 4-4 draw away to Chelsea FC which sealed their elimination at the quarter-final stage in April – and is looking to hit the ground running as the Reds strive to maintain a fine recent record at this level. "We must do our best to win the first game and it's extremely important we continue to build on our performances over the past couple of seasons," said the Brazilian international.

'Right direction'
Lucas respects the threat the in-form Hungarian champions pose, but also knows the onus is on the hosts to take maximum points. "Playing in the Champions League is a different style from the Premier League, but I feel as a team we are moving in the right direction," he added. "It's really important for the players that we start well here at home; we're at Anfield and have a responsibility to win in front of our own fans."

'Confidence'
Lucas is poised to make his sixth consecutive start for the Reds against the Hungarian visitors in Group E as he continues to profit from the summer departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid CF. "I've been involved a lot recently and I just hope I can maintain the levels I have reached in the past few games," said the 22-year-old. "It's my third season here now and I am playing more games which is great. Just being involved more regularly has given me confidence and helped me a lot.

Repay the fans
"Xabi was, of course, a great player. I don't want to say I will replace him as my style is different from his, in that I like to get forward from midfield as much as possible, but we have to move on as a club. The fans have helped me a lot in that and I want to pay them back by showing I deserve to be here."