Lucas Leiva says the enormity of playing for Liverpool will dawn on the club’s new recruits during their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.
Brendan Rodgers’ men departed the UK on Sunday ahead of matches against a Thai Premier League XI in Bangkok, before games against A-League teams Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United.
The Reds will then return home via Malaysia and the rapturous reception they are sure to receive will undoubtedly be a confronting experience for their new signings, particularly the likes of Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez, who have joined from Burnley, Southampton and Charlton Athletic respectively.
“We still have a few days to go but over there they will have an idea about what Liverpool is about,” Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com.
“They know a lot but when you travel so far away from Liverpool and get that reception they will realise how big this club is and as I said hopefully they will settle very quickly.
“It just makes you realise how big the club is in terms of the amount of fans and anywhere in the world you go you get a good reception.
“This tour is always good because we can speak with people that don’t have a chance to come to Liverpool to watch games and it will be a great opportunity for them.”
James Milner and Roberto Firmino, internationals for England and Brazil respectively, will not be so easily overawed by the strength of Liverpool’s global following.
The experienced duo must cope with pressure of a different kind though as they seek to try and fill the void left by departed stars Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.
Long-term club captain Gerrard has left for LA Galaxy, while Sterling will not travel with the squad as he completes an acrimonious big-money transfer to Manchester City.
“Of course we lost a lot of important players but the players that are coming, they will try to not replace them but try to adapt to our squad and perform the way they did at their previous club,” Lucas said.
“That’s why they are here and we will make everything possible for them to adapt very well.
“In my case with Firmino, I have been doing this for many years now with the new players, Brazilians especially, coming into the country and the club and trying just to help them to settle quickly.
“Hopefully, if they can perform as soon as possible, it will be better for us.”
