Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva admits he's copped his fair share of knocks during his time at Anfield.

Lucas has freely admitted his Liverpool career, which began with a move from Brazilian side Gremio in July 2007, had inauspicious beginnings but he now feels he is contributing more to the side.

"Since I have been at Liverpool there have been quite a few knocks," he told LFC Weekly.

"This season I have played more games and that has pleased me. But it isn't about me, it's about the club doing well. Winning the league isn't possible so we need to finish in the top four.

"That is more important than any personal statistics or achievements I have made. This year has been really difficult for the team but we have improved a lot in the last 10 games, especially defensively.

"It is clear we have not scored enough but we have become difficult to beat again.

"Over the next month we have quite a lot of home games against teams from the bottom half of the league, while our rivals for fourth have more difficult fixtures on paper.

"Maybe this will help us out."