Joao Teixeira still desperate to pursue Liverpool dream

Liverpool midfielder Joao Teixeira hopes to hold talks with Brendan Rodgers when he returns to Merseyside at the end of the season in hope of securing a long-term future at the club.

Teixeira, 22, was handed his debut by Rodgers last season but has spent the current campaign with Brighton in the Championship.

The Portuguese midfielder has enjoyed his time on the coast, where the Seagulls are close to securing their place in England's second tier for another season, but has still not given up on his dream of establishing himself as a first-team regular at Anfield.

And before he links up with his national team ahead of the Under-21 European Championships this summer, he hopes to discuss plans for next season with his manager.

He said in an interview with the Guardian: "I need to finish the season here and then I will go to Liverpool on 2 May.

"I will be there for two more weeks and train so I can keep fit for the Euros. I will also have time to speak to the manager about my future.

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

One man who will not be at Anfield upon Teixeira's return to the club will be Steven Gerrard. The Reds skipper will bring an end to his 16-year career at the club when his contract expires at the end of the season and while the Portuguese youngster will miss the opportunity to learn from the veteran, he understands his decision to seek a new challenge with LA Galaxy.

"Stevie helps not just me but all the young players at Liverpool," Teixeira said. "It is obvious that he really cares about them all, probably because he came from the youth team too, so he knows how we are all feeling.

"He's a legend in Liverpool and everyone at the club likes him a lot. It is a shame he will not be there next season as I would have liked to have played with him more and learn from him.

"But you can understand if after all this time at Liverpool, Stevie wants a new experience."