Family, friends, teammates, medical staff and of course fans…Liverpool’s brilliant Brazilian Lucas Leiva wants to thank one and all for their incredible support during his return from injury.

And, he tells the new Liverpool FC monthly magazine, he’ll come back as good, if not better, in the red jersey.

In an exclusive interview, seven months on from a career-saving operation to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, he reveals how he went from absolute high to deepest low when the injury occurred.

He said: “I’d been really happy with the way I was playing. Two days before I got injured, I played against Manchester City at Anfield and it was one of the best games that I’ve played for Liverpool. The injury completely stopped that momentum.”

During his rehabilitation here and back in Brazil, Lucas says ‘every single one’ of his teammates kept in touch, adding: “It’s those little things that make you feel stronger. The fans were amazing too.

“I think the hard times have been good for me because I learned a lot about myself. I am very lucky to be here and even though I’m starting my sixth season at Liverpool, I still feel fresh and there is no reason for me to think I can’t get back to the same level again. I want to thank everyone by becoming the player I was before.”

The full interview appears in the launch issue of the all-new monthly Liverpool FC magazine, out August 2. Inside you’ll also find in-depth interviews with manager Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Readers can subscribe by clicking here, or by calling the hotline on 08700 20 20 20.

Get your tickets for Liverpool’s Anfield clashes with FC Gomel and Bayer Leverkusen now>>