Lucas Leiva feels he is ready to fill the boots of outgoing Javier Mascherano in the teeth of the Liverpool midfield.

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The much-maligned Brazilian was handed the capataincy in their Europa League qualifying match against FK Rabotnicki on Thursday and feels he is ready to kick on in the next stage of his career by taking over the mantle that once belonged to the combative Argentine.

"I know I am able to do that because last season I played a few games when Javier was at right-back," said Lucas. "I've got no problem with doing that job. We all hope Javier stays because he is such a good player but if my chances come I will try and take them"

Lucas knows that the arrival of a new manager brings a clean slate to Anfield and he is keen to impress Roy Hodgson and repay the faith placed in him when he was handed the armband in Macedonia.

"I know there are a lot of senior players in front of me but I hope I can stay in the team," he added. "Having the captaincy shows that the manager knows a lot about me and believes in me. I am ready to give my best for Liverpool."