Joao Teixeira To Chase LFC 'Dream' In 2015-16 After Brighton Loan Success

Joao Carlos Teixeira almost already has completed part one of his master plan for his Liverpool career, and he almost has finished part two, too. Teixeira will try to check off part three, the fufillment of his dream, next season.

Teixeira told the Guardian on Tuesday he has grown as a player this season while on loan from Liverpool at Brighton Hove & Albian. Teixeira, 22, has played regular games for the Championship (English second division) club and intends to fight for a place in Liverpool’s first team next season.

“I came to Brighton to become more mature and get more experience, and hopefully next year I will be playing for Liverpool,” Teixeira said. “That is my dream.”

Teixeira joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon in his native Portugal for £800,000 ($1.2 million) in 2012, and the attacking midfielder has been one of the Reds’ top prospects ever since. He was a standout performer in Liverpool’s U-21 team before making his first-team debut in February 2014 in the midst of the Reds’ chase for last season’s Premier League title.

Teixeira knew he might struggle to break into Liverpool’s lineup this season, so he eagerly accepted the chance to sharpen his skills by playing regularly in a lower division. In 33 games this season, Teixera has scored six goals (second most at Brighton) and assisted four more (leading Brighton), making his loan spell a successful one in his and manager Brendan Rodgers’ eyes.

“I have a lot of trust in myself, in my capacity, so I always thought I could do well in the Championship,” Teixeira said.

Teixeira laments Steven Gerrard’s impending departure, as he won’t have the LFC captain to guide him through what could be his rookie season in the Premier League. But Teixera feels comfortable with his place at the club, nonetheless.

“You don’t need to spend money if you have the right young players at your house –- I know this is Liverpool’s philosophy and it is also why I wanted to join them,” Teixeira said.

We’ll learn this summer if Teixera will be ready to break into Liverpool’s first team in 2015-16, but early signs point to “yes.”