JOAO TEIXERIA LIVERPOOL FC ACADEMY PLAYER

Joao Carlos Teixeira (born 18 January 1993) is a Portuguese footballer who plays for the Liverpool Reserves as a midfielder.

Liverpool agreed a deal, worth a reported £1,000,000 with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for their highly-rated midfield playmaker Teixeira in the 2012 January transfer window. Teixeira had impressed Liverpool scouts whilst playing for Lisbon during the 2011-12 NextGen Series, during which he netted against the Reds in Lisbon's 3-0 victory on Merseyside.

Although Teixeira never managed to make a first-team appearance for Lisbon, the signing was greeted with some excitement by the Liverpool faithful, following comparisons between Teixeira and former Barcelona and Chelsea star Deco.

After signing with Liverpool, Teixeira had to sit out the rest of the 2011-12 season due to a back injury.