"It is difficult. It's more difficult now than when I started because Liverpool are a better team now," said the vice-captain.
"We are regarded as one of the best teams in Europe and that makes it a lot more difficult for the younger players who are trying to break into the team.
"That's the challenge facing them so it was good to see them get some time on the pitch against PSV.
"Don't get me wrong, the game was probably won by the time they came on but they weren't overawed in any way and they did quite well as well."