Joao Carlos Teixeira was pleased to get on the pitch, and the scoresheet, in Liverpool Under-21s’ mini-derby thriller with Everton on Wednesday night.
The Portuguese midfielder scored the second of the Reds’ three first half goals, and delivered an all-round impressive display on a night in which Michael Beale’s side squandered a three-goal lead against their Merseyside rivals.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion, and scored six goals in 35 outings for the Seagulls before a broken leg suffered in April cut his campaign short.
Teixeira scooped Brighton’s Young Player of the Year award for 2014-15, and Under-21s manager Beale told the Liverpool Echo after the game in Southport that both he and Tiago Ilori could benefit from another loan move.
In an interview with Liverpoolfc.com after the game in Southport, Teixeira said: “It’s disappointing (the result) but it was good for me, I played well, and I need to get fit.
“In my position I always want to score or assist, that’s my job and it’s what I try to do every single game I’m on the pitch.
“We started very well and the first half was good but we weren’t good enough to [stay] ahead of them and we drew.
“We learn from our mistakes and we weren’t good enough to win this game.“It’s a different game against Everton, it’s always good to play these derby games and I enjoyed it.”
Teixeira believes that his experience on the first team’s tour of Thailand, Australia, Malaysia and Finland was a huge help for him.
“When you play with good players you always improve,” he said.
“It’s always good to be around Melwood and the pre-season was good, I enjoyed it, I played a few games and I tried to do my best.”
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