Lucas Leiva exclusive: Former Liverpool midfielder on Arne Slot, Steven Gerrard, and his best games on Merseyside

I wanted to ask about the manager first. How do you think Arne has done so far since succeeding Klopp?

Well, of course, it's early days and you have to give it time. You have to watch a lot of games. I think pre-season will help understand the way he wants to play. Of course, a lot of senior players are missing, so you have to adapt as well, especially the last game [against Real Bets], we didn't have a center forward, so he had to adapt. Maybe he can use that system during the season. We don't know. So, of course it's always challenging when you replace a manager like Jurgen, especially after so many years. But I think the club picked someone that they really think can have an impact for many years. I don't think they brought Arne in just for this season. Last year was, for me, a very good surprise. We could see a lot of young players coming through. So this season, and I think we will have these options that maybe last year we didn't think we would have, it will be a different style of play for sure. But let's wait and see how different it will be, especially with other players coming back as well.

You've seen him talk to the media, you've seen him do all the press duties, he's quite a public figure. How do you think he's done with that so far?

I think he understands the position that he is in, the pressure that he has. He's been so good so far, you know. Like I said, we just need to give time. But he's shown that he's a very calm guy. But of course, it's early days, we just need to wait and see to even to understand his way of managing as well. Of course, we can see the press conference, but on daily basis, we couldn't see much. In pre-season, we'll have a better idea.

Talking about those American tours, what's it like being in America as a former player?

It's always good. Pre-seasons are always about traveling and getting the work done, playing some good games and meeting fans. Liverpool is a big club. Anywhere you go, you meet Liverpool fans. Last year I was with the club as well in Asia, and this year in America, so it's great. Of course, it's a short period. I'm enjoying it. I do some interviews, meet some fans and visit cities. So it's great to represent Liverpool now in another way.

You've seen the American fans over the years, right? How do you think they have changed? Is there more excitement about football now? Do you see more Liverpool fans?

We can see American people are watching more football, more soccer, so I think it's important. My first tour here was 2009. And you see now all stadiums are full. There are a lot of fans watching football which is great. So it means that football is growing in the country. Of course, it will take time to get to the level of basketball and American football, but I think football will get there eventually.

Is there a difference between a Liverpudlian Liverpool fan and an American fan? Do you notice any difference in terms of attitude, how much they know the game, that kind of thing?

I think American people when they get into sports, they try to understand. English people are very passionate, especially Liverpool fans. But I remember playing here in American stadiums full of Liverpool fans, the atmosphere was amazing. Of course, when it's a preseason it's different, but, in the knowledge of football, American people are improving all the time which is great. And they understand football, you know, and they understand sports. Americans are great in sports, so they will be good as well in understanding football. I'm not worried about that.

Just a few questions for you about your playing days. First of all, can you describe how it felt to put a Liverpool shirt on?

Ten years playing for the club was an honor, a privilege. Especially now coming as an ambassador, in another role, I appreciate even more, because I can see how much it means to play for a club like Liverpool. I always knew that, but of course, now that I don't, I appreciate it even more.

What's the best game you ever played as a Liverpool player?

I played almost 350 games for the club. It's difficult to pick one, but there is one that always comes to my mind, a game against Man City in the Premier League [on November 2011]. We drew 1-1. But I think it was probably my best moment. Unfortunately, after that, after a week or 10 days, I got a bad injury in my knee which kept me out for almost one year. But I think that game was probably my best moment at the club.

Who's the best player you ever played with for Liverpool?

Easy question. Probably Stevie [Gerrard] I played with so many. [Luis] Suarez as well, and [Fernando] Torres and [Philippe] Coutinho. But Stevie is up there, up there with the best.

Where do you think Liverpool finish this season?

Very difficult to say. It is a new team, a new manager. I think last year Liverpool showed that they can challenge for all the competitions. The last four or five weeks of the season Liverpool missed out on two cups with the Premier League and the FA Cup. Realistically, of course, Liverpool have to challenge for the title, but we know how difficult is to beat Man City and Arsenal. Top four is really important, and after that, build up from there. But I would say first, why not? I believe Liverpool can win the league.