Liverpool are underdogs in top-four race, insists Lucas Leiva

Lucas Leiva says Liverpool have their “buzz” back but still feels the Reds are “underdogs” in the race for a top-four finish.

The Reds are currently in second place behind early pacesetters Arsenal after winning five of their opening seven top-flight games this season.

The Brazil international, who is set to return from a one-game ban at Newcastle United on Saturday, was part of Liverpool’s side which finished as runners-up in 2009.

And Lucas reckons the Reds are on the right path to reclaim their place at the top of English football.

“We have obviously got some encouraging results from the first games and no one will complain about being top of the table. But we would be silly to get too excited after seven games,” Lucas told the Guardian.

“The Premiership is a long and tough journey and we just have to look at our defeat (at home) to Southampton to see that. But I’ll give you one thing: maybe we would have drawn that game against Stoke last season (they won 1-0 after a late penalty save by Simon Mignolet).

“There’s a feeling that a couple of things went our way (this time round). But ask me again how I feel in January, because that’s when we will really know what we can achieve this season.

“I don’t see why we should get ahead of ourselves. The race for the top four will be extremely close this year and I still think we are underdogs, given how much money some of our opponents have invested.

“Liverpool are still a massive institution in English and European football and we need to get back into the Champions League. Those nights are unforgettable for players and supporters. It’s about time we all felt that buzz again.”