Lucas

[Modo]

Liverpool FC midfielder Lucas says he'll give his all to re-establish himself at Anfield

• Nov 28, 2014 21:04
• By James Pearce

Lucas Leiva of Liverpool in action
Lucas Leiva has vowed to “give his all” as he battles to re-establish himself at Anfield.
The long-serving Liverpool FC midfielder impressed after being given a rare start in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in the Champions League.

It’s been a tough time for the Brazilian, who has slipped down the pecking order over the past 12 months.
He has started just two Premier League matches this season but says he wants to stay put and force his way back into Brendan Rodgers’ side on a regular basis.
“It has been very hard,” Lucas said.

“Apart from my first two seasons at Liverpool, I have probably played most of the time. I work to play but I haven’t been playing much.

“I am 27 now and my best years are still to come. The day that I walk into Melwood and feel okay about not playing something is wrong and probably I would have to change things around. I am not the type of person who just wants to collect his money. It is not me and has never been me.

“Of course I am not happy not to be playing. When you play, you feel that you can help the team and you feel better. Probably my Liverpool career is going to be like that forever until my last day here. I have just got to give my all to the team. This is my eighth season here, I have played more than 250 games and that means a lot.
“Sometimes things don’t work the way you want and my career has been like that at Liverpool. But I will just keep going until the last day that I am here.

“I tried to show that against Ludogorets, that my commitment will always be there. The manager probably thought he needed to play players who could be committed to the cause and I am. Football is funny. Things change a lot but I will give my all until my last day here.”

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard consoles Lucas Leiva after his side drew 2-2 against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad during the Champions League fixture at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo by James Maloney

Lucas is hoping his efforts in midweek will see his services retained for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City.

“We have a lot of games and we don’t know how the manager will manage the squad,” he added.

“I am quite fresh because I haven’t played but it is always hard when you don’t play many games because you don’t have the rhythm and fitness you expect. I think I showed I have the desire and when I put on the Liverpool shirt I give my all and that is sometimes what fans want.

“I just have to try to take my chances - like the Real Madrid game - and although Ludogorets wasn’t a brilliant performance in terms of possession of the ball I helped the team defend.”

The inclusion of Lucas in Bulgaria saw Steven Gerrard deployed further forward and the captain was a creative force as the Reds’ No 10. If Rodgers perseveres with that system then Lucas can expect plenty more game-time over the coming weeks.

“Probably the best years of Stevie’s career were in that role,” Lucas said.

“Of course he has been playing deeper over the last year and for Stevie he will always be in the spotlight because he is the captain and an important player for the team.

“In the No 10 role we try to give him a lot of the ball because then he can affect play with his passes - you saw the pass he gave to Raheem (Sterling).

“It is a difficult moment for the team but we need to stay positive. We didn’t play fantastic football but we showed a lot of character and that is the only way at the moment we will get back to winning ways.

“We are still alive in the Champions League so I think the confidence will slowly get better and the flow of the team will get better, like last year. In the dressing room on Wednesday night it was a lot more positive, We showed good desire.”

 

[Buddha]

It's a sign of how much we've regressed that this is so, but it'd be a real positive to see Lucas get a run of games at DM until the New Year as he's our best option there.

If we don't sign a genuine DM in January, and there's a good few about, I'm giving up.

 

[jexykrodic]

I've always thought he was a worthy squad member and when your defense needs a little protection he can do that well. I'm expecting him to play a bit more.

 

[Judge Jules]

It's a sign of how much we've regressed that this is so, but it'd be a real positive to see Lucas get a run of games at DM until the New Year as he's our best option there.

If we don't sign a genuine DM in January, and there's a good few about, I'm giving up.

I agree it'd be a positive but IMHO only to a certain extent because, for all Lucas' willingness, in himself he simply isn't title-winning standard. Far too often a good tackle of his will be followed by a rash one which hands our opponents the advantage. I actually feel sorry for the guy because DM had never been his role until Rafa decided to convert him to it. It says a lot for his professionalism that he's become half-decent at it, but the unfortunate truth is that he's no more than that, even at his best.

I'm with you also on the need to sign a class DM in January. Some will say we don't need a DM as such in midfield, just good all-rounders, but - while I respect that view - I don't agree, because I don't think that approach is a practical response to our current circs. Had we maintained our momentum from last season things might have been different, but we are where we are.

 

[Squiggles]

I believe that had we started Lucas instead of Gerrard in the DM position this season then we would be a better position that we are now.

That is not to say we do not need a new DM in January. We need someone who can read the game, provide leadership, can release a quick ball forward, and has the height and physicality to win midfield battles. Who that is, I'm not sure - but we need to find him.

 

[gkmacca]

Once again one wonders about the coaching. Lucas doesn't know how to tackle. He does have his strengths,, but time and again his naivete and clumsiness as a tackler lets him down. He often fails even to realise that you will never win the ball, and will almost certainly concede a free kick, when you try to wrap your foot around a player from behind. So this must be painfully obvious to the club's 'video analyst', so presumably there's a nice big package of clips to study. So why doesn't he show ANY signs that this has been worked on at Melwood? It's one of the basic things that drives fans crazy.

 

[juniormember]

Played well today and definitely made a difference.

 

[leftpeg]

Our best player today. I was particularly impressed by his distribution. Really good game.

 

[davud graham]

Made some good tackles today and passed the ball simply but well. Played with composure when on the ball and didn't try to force the play but waited until there was an opening futher up the pitch. He doesn't play the ball to create the chances as some do but he gives other players who are closer to the forward players the opportunity to create. Too many times lately we try to make chances for our forwards with one magic ball played from the half way line. It rarely works now that we don't have Suarez or Sturridge available. Also showed that even playing in the defensive midfield position he could still get forwards now and again. Early days but the last two games have shown a big improvement in the part of the pitch where Lucas has been playing.

 

[Modo]

Made some good tackles today and passed the ball simply but well. Played with composure when on the ball and didn't try to force the play but waited until there was an opening futher up the pitch. He doesn't play the ball to create the chances as some do but he gives other players who are closer to the forward players the opportunity to create. Too many times lately we try to make chances for our forwards with one magic ball played from the half way line. It rarely works now that we don't have Suarez or Sturridge available. Also showed that even playing in the defensive midfield position he could still get forwards now and again. Early days but the last two games have shown a big improvement in the part of the pitch where Lucas has been playing.

Totally agree

 

[Ryan]

He was excellent. His form in the last 3 or 4 games for us should mean he keeps the DM spot. But he won't, Rodgson will shit himself and reinstall Gerrard.

 

[juniormember]

He was excellent. His form in the last 3 or 4 games for us should mean he keeps the DM spot. But he won't, Rodgson will shit himself and reinstall Gerrard.

I think we'll see what Rodgers is really made of in the next game. He better start Lucas, whatever the pressure.

I think Stevie performed well in the attacking third. But then the two little attackers did very well, and Stevie simply can't offer the work rate Hendo offers, regardless of some of the shite passing Henderson's been dishing out as of late.
But if he's replacing anyone, it should be Hendo for me.

 

[Modo]

I think we'll see what Rodgers is really made of in the next game. He better start Lucas, whatever the pressure.

I think Stevie performed well in the attacking third. But then the two little attackers did very well, and Stevie simply can't offer the work rate Hendo offers, regardless of some of the shite passing Henderson's been dishing out as of late.
But if he's replacing anyone, it should be Hendo for me.

Have a feeling that it's gonna be Coutinho.

 

[Hansern]

Had a good game vs Stoke but isnt good enough long term. Shame we didnt go for Wanyama last season.
Him and Schneiderlin are bossing around and make that Soton team tick.
Fantastic strength and presence which we need in that position. We missed that opportunity.

 

[Modo]

Had a good game vs Stoke but isnt good enough long term. Shame we didnt go for Wanyama last season.
Him and Schneiderlin are bossing around and make that Soton team tick.
Fantastic strength and presence which we need in that position. We missed that opportunity.

I wish he was a bit quicker. But he's an intelligent player and good on the ball. He's all about keeping possession of the ball and that's what I like about him. Plays it simple doesn't hurry attacks.
I personally think he can be a very important link in our midfield. He's getting better with every game.

Wonder what the plan is with Can.

 

[keniget]

Wonder what the plan is with Can.

I wonder what the plan is with a fair few of the young players we've bought.

Let's hope there is one.

 

[gkmacca]

Can seems like he's going to need a season to work on his fitness and get used to the pace of the league. There's promise there but he's breathing hard after about an hour each game.

 

[Modo]

Daniel Agger @DanielAgger · Nov 29
@glen_johnson @LucasLeiva87 well done today boys🙂) ynwa