Lucas proves how valuable he is to Liverpool; explains how he helps club’s foreign stars

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All arrows point to Lucas Leiva when it comes to identifying a Liverpool player destined to become a coach or manager in the future.

The club’s current longest serving player is by no means finished as far as his duties on the pitch are concerned but it is becoming increasingly clear that he is someone Liverpool can use off the pitch in years to come.

It is approaching a decade since the Brazilian made his move to Merseyside and after a tough time settling in himself, he has grown to become not only a valuable member of the team from a footballing point of view but also a key figure away from the game. Having endured a difficult start to life in England, he has since set out to help other foreign players find their feet.

“Pepe Reina was a neighbour, Fernando Torres. I had a very good relationship with Alvaro Arbeloa as well, he was someone who helped me a lot when I first came,” he told the Daily Mail.

“The language barrier was difficult so you get closer to people you can speak to more often. I’ve had Brazilians here with me. Fabio Aurelio, Doni the goalkeeper. Liverpool is a smaller city, you probably don’t go out as much as you would in London, so you get close and help each other.”

“As the years have gone on, I’ve tried to make others comfortable. I knew Philippe Coutinho from the national team, we played together a couple of times, I knew what it was like coming to England.”

“We go to dinner, to each other’s houses, you can advise him which places to go to or where he can buy things if he needs to. Of course we have people at the club who do everything for you if you want, but sometimes you want to interact with people from your country. It’s the same with Roberto Firmino, Alberto Moreno, the guys I feel I can help off the pitch, I like to do it because that’s the way I am.”

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He has evolved to become a main leader in this team and now poses as the perfect role model for Liverpool’s pool of exciting youth prospects to learn from when it comes to appreciating their privileged position.

Lucas has seen both a number of managers and players come and go during his time with the Reds and is the most qualified member of this squad when it comes to teaching youngsters what is required of them if they wish to be a success.

A Liverpool coach of the future.

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