Liverpool attacking midfielder Joao Teixeira thinks it will be a “great test” for him to play against West Ham United in an FA Cup replay tonight.
The 23-year-old, who has barely featured for the Reds’ first team in the present campaign, played the entire game in the original tie at Anfield in late January which ended 0-0.
Teixeira has thus far clocked up 363 minutes over five games in all competitions this season, with 270 of those coming in three FA Cup games.
And the Portuguese, whose present deal with Liverpool is set to expire in the summer, insisted that he is relishing the prospect of facing West Ham at Upton Park.
“It’s a great stadium and atmosphere”, Teixeira told the club’s official site.
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“I feel ready because I have played at Anfield, but of course it will be a great test for me."
West Ham, who bought in players such as Dimitri Payet and Victor Moses in the summer, defeated Liverpool twice in the Premier League this season; and Teixeira explained that the Merseyside giants are expecting another tough outing against the London outfit.
“They are a very good side. They have improved a lot, they bought good players in the summer like [Dimitri] Payet and Victor Moses”, he added.
“They have technical players and like to play football, and we had problems in the Premier League with them. They are a very strong side and it will be a great game.”
Teixeira found the back of the net in the 3-0 win over Exeter City in another FA Cup replay last month.
