The Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has sprung to the defence of new £16m signing Jordan Henderson by telling critics the England Under-21 international must be given time to settle in.

"I don't blame the young players because I've been in their place for a few years," said the Brazil international.

"He is English and knows the Premier League but to come to such a big club like Liverpool is really hard. I think he has played well and sometimes you get confidence when you get more minutes and understand the role you have to do.

"We have to encourage him and try to give him confidence to keep improving," he added.

Leiva was also convinced that Henderson would benefit from being given a chance to grow at the club: "We can see he has potential to be a good player but he is still very young and we have to give him time and be patient and I am sure he will be a good player," he said.

"Everyone has their own opinions and character but we can see in the training sessions he likes to work and that is the main thing. When you work hard the opportunities will come and he will be ready to take them. Don't rush him a lot, give him time to settle and I am sure he will be a good player in the future."