Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted for midfielder Lucas Leiva following the 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday night.

The Brazilian midfielder, who has found himself on the fringes of the first-team this season, scored his first goal since 2010 to help the Reds progress into the fourth round.

Following the game, Klopp insisted that Lucas is an important part of his side as well as a very good friend off the pitch.

"After each last training [session] before the game, we finish with old v young," he said.

"Lucas is the top scorer of all – so I'm really surprised that he didn't score for that long. But now he is back on track. [He is] a great personality, a good player, a really wonderful guy.

"I'm pretty sure he could be a good friend for the rest of your life, when he is not a player.

"You have to line [him] up and sometimes not – it's not his hobby to accept things like this, but he's OK. And he is really important for us."