Liverpool's academy director Frank McParland has picked out Joao Teixeira as another youth player who could have a bright future at the club after recovering from a serious injury.

The 19-year-old was signed by Liverpool back in February after officials at the club were impressed with the youngsters performance as he starred in the Sporting Lisbon side that played the Reds in NextGen competition last season.

Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling played in the NextGen game against Joao Teixeira but is now a first team regular [Reuters]

Teixeira had been compared to another Sporting graduate Deco and was expected to be challenging for a place in the first team of the Portuguese side.

However, Liverpool were so impressed with the midfielder that they managed to complete a deal for him last February despite the medical showing that he had a serious problem with his back.

After six months he is now fully fit and McParland believes that he will have a very bright future at Liverpool.

One that was outstanding last year was Joao Texeira at Sporting," McParland told the Daily Mail after being asked about Liverpool playing in the NextGen series. "We knew when we saw him he was one for us and when we got the chance to sign him the manager backed me and we spent a considerable sum on him.

"The trouble was when we got to the medical his back was in a seriously bad way. We questioned going ahead with it but he was worth the risk.

"He was put in a back brace for six months and after some fantastic work by the physios he is starting to play again. He is going to be a top, top player."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has given opportunities to a number of youth players who were regulars in the Under-19 side last season. Suso, Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom all helped the club reach the semi-final of the European competition before being well beaten by a superb Ajax side.

The Reds once again qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament after defeating reigning champions Inter Milan 4-1 earlier in the week and McParland has revealed why it is such an important competition.

"The NextGen Series has been fantastic for us. The lads experience what it is like to go to the next level," added McParland.

"You are travelling across Europe like the first team do. Spending time at airports, on planes, in hotels, coping with the downtime, playing top European teams such as Sporting Lisbon.

"It's a brilliant learning curve. Even in the games you have different referees and formations to adjust to. For the likes of myself it allowed us to scout one or two players too."