By Ben Carr
When bought in 2007 from Gremio. Lucas Leiva joined Liverpool without pressure and expectation surrounding him, a relative unknown to Liverpool fans he was thrilled to have the chance to play for one of Europe’s elite.
He came to Liverpool as one of few Brazilians to ever play for the club, an attacking midfielder blessed with flair and vision he moved to Liverpool off the back of winning the prestigious Placar magazine ‘Bola de Ouro’ (Golden ball), an award won by the likes of Zico, Romario, Kaka and Tevez in the past.
With a 5 million pound price tag, I can’t help feeling Liverpool have had their monies worth. Rafa Benitez expected Lucas to score goals for fun in the Premier League, when it became apparent that it wasn’t to be he converted this flair fueled player into a more combative defensive player. I think a lot of Liverpool fans underestimated the challenge laid down by Benitez to Lucas because of this somewhat risky decision.
Can you image what sort of player Kaka would have been if he had been told at 21, ‘Come here lad – instead of tearing teams apart with creation and skill game after game I want you to get stuck in.’ A young foreign player suddenly had a career changing position situation to deal with within one of the most competitive leagues in the world. A league renowned for its face pace and tough tackling Lucas set about the challenge by getting his head down, he did it without fuss and without question, working hard and clearly wanting to do anything to impress his manager and the fans of Liverpool Football Club.
A former captain of Gremio and the Brazilian under 20’s team he went from a big fish in a smaller sized pond to a squad player in the ever improving Liverpool side of 2008. He came under harsh criticism from former players and supporters who questioned his lack of quality. He was working along side Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, three players who were all established first team regulars and players that Lucas no doubt looked up to and could learn from. Despite struggling to win over Liverpool fans Benitez saw something in Lucas others perhaps didn’t.
With Xabi Alonso moving on to pastures new the responsibilities on the shoulders of Lucas grew, and with The Reds bringing in the injured Alberto Aquilani he was finally given a regular first team spot to make his own, and that he did, playing 50 first team games in the 09/10 season scoring one memorable European goal. He had finally turned around some of the doubters and he was a shining light in what was a miserable time for Liverpool players, management and fans around the world. His commitment was rarely questioned and this young 22 year old from the streets of Brazil had finally proved himself to be a proven regular in Liverpool sides of the future.
Lets remember, we never saw Lucas moan about his position change and for a young player at a top level it couldn’t have been easy. Despite occasionally being hung out to dry by some fans he never once spoke of how it must have been affecting his confidence despite it being sometimes evident during games. A player that has proved this season just how much determination and quality he has in a promising ‘New Liverpool’ it goes to show just how far this boy from Brazil has come. A leader at heart is now leading those around him and a name I’m sure many place on their team sheets early on, he’s showing that he can be a permanent fixture in the future of Liverpool Football Club.
A player who was asked to succeed in ‘The Xabi Alonso role’ he has now created a new position which I’d like to call ‘The Lucas Role’: desire, commitment and intelligence are all parts of his game that have come to the for front and I for one can’t wait to continue watching him develop into a fantastic asset for Liverpool Football Club.
YNWA
Ben Carr
Absolutely stunning. I love this article, to me, he’s always been harshly treated and it’s great to see someone, other than myself, acknowledging just how much he’s improved. Agree fully! YNWA
100% I doubt anyone could question the boys commitment to Liverpool fc
A nice article giving the guy all due praise and coinsideration for a sterling job that he has been asked to do and done well! He still improves game after game and is an important key to Liverpool team.
This guy is not a Brazillian. He can’t pass he has no skills no ball control and no flair. Some of the things which you and I would say is a given when speaking of a brazillian footballer.
he a great asset for Liverpool,keep it up Lucas,when the whole fan were criticizing him under Benitez i gave him my full support because i saw in him a better future which the manager saw then,please bring back Aquillani,he fits in our new pattern
Great player, very consistent and never backs out of a challenge, xavier who???
Improved a lot as he’s under more pressure now for his place. Still not totally convinced he is the answer long term.
Its a lecture i just recieve abt Lucas. Though am among is critics then. But no doubt, is among our best and reliable.
@ Sharif. Have you ever seen Felipe Melo play? If he is NOT brazilian as you so bravely claim, why is he an automatic selection for the selecao? Its Brazil mate not Malta? Talent oozing from everywhere…they are not short of talent are they and our Lucas is there with the best. Get your facts right dude.
I don’t think Lucas was ever one for ‘tearing teams apart with flair and skill’. He’s always been a central midfielder, in Brazil he was nicknamed ‘The German’, not only because of his blonde hair but because of his dogged midfield efficiency.
I like Lucas, at just 24 he has a good few years yet in learning that role, his passing is generally superb but he maybe lacks a touch of pace/acceleration.
This guy was nearly ruined by a section of our fans (reminded me of how Staunton was treated in his first spell at Liverpool when played out of position) But he has over come all the obstacles put in his way and let us not forget that he is still a relatively young player and with the attitude he shows can and will still improve further. Lucas may never become a world beater but he will provide good service to Liverpool for may years to come.
good read. Yeah i do like Lucas. He is an lfc lad, a fan first before he is an Lfc player. Just like Stevie G, Carra or our King. I like him, his passion, wits and determination.
I had a dream once of him being the Captain of an Lfc side that shall win the league, Champions league and FA cup treble.
But i want to see the player we bought in 2007. The attacking and creative midfielder Rafa wantd to see. Thats the player we bought. The lucas role is decent but not the best. The Lucas Role is the Mr Average Role. You can never look to it to rescue a point 4 us wen we are losing or get 3 points 4 us wen drawing.
Conclusion: we WANT MORE FROM LUCAS NOT JUST AVERAGE DISPLAYS.
NB:Lucas is not & was never a flair player despite the goals & awards.
The guy has the most humble heart i can think of & we’ve now warmed up to him. We should keep him & the gaffer should try him in an attacking role once we have an out & out defensive midfielder.
Give him a new contract before somebody turns his head.
He is really becoming an cult hero status and he is surely becoming an regular in our team and he deserves this article
He is the Dunga of his generation. People will always underestimate the importance of a Lucas type player because it is not a falir role. But in a team is vital. On a personal level, he deserves enormous credit, and with the quiet determination could end up a great – but to do so needs to keep improving on the same trajectory. Nothing is to say he cannot do this.
Good article, I feel he adds workrate and consistency to the team, I’d like to see him get a chance further forward where his short-passing game might help keep possession high in the opposition half. One game I saw him play (think it was Wolves), he was spraying passes all over the place, which was a bit of a shock. This, coupled with the fact that he gets caught in possession rather too often would imply that given more time he could be great. Dalglish will help him create space and time for himself
@Sharif: Lucas is one of the most brasilians players. Brazilians love lucas. Falcao (the king of rome) loves him.
@Chris: “he was nicknamed ‘The German’, not only because of his blonde hair but because of his dogged midfield efficiency.”
And maybe because alemao had a similar role. There are a lot of blonde in the south of brazil.
“his passing is generally superb but he maybe lacks a touch of pace/acceleration.” He is brazilian so he has brazilian rithm/pace. Brazilians play slowly.
Sorry, He’s average, love his effort but that’s it. Never been a fan never will. Just watch him play with your rose tinted glasses in the bin. Why do you think we struggle, he just does not cut it.
I dont understand why pace matters so much when discussing the defensive midfield spot, intelligence and composure is much more important. Claude Makelele was no pace merchant yet he was the best defensive midfielder in the world for more than half a decade. I dont remember Marcos Senna being a greyhound in the Euro either. A good defensive mid hopefully cleans up stray messes, sets the pace calmly, and dictates play. I think Lucas is growing into it well.
finally some sense….great article. I’ve been saying this for a while…again great article.
Excellent article and well documented. I wear Lucas on the back of my 27 shirt so am completely biased. I bought it when he joined knowing he had a good head in his shoulders. Humility and intelligence are his skills
This week I watched a wonderful interview with Fabio Aurelio where he talked about how he has seen Lucas develop from a boy to a man during his time at Liverpool. To come direct from South America to England is a tough gig (look at Diego Forlan time at Man U).I admire Lucas because no one could of blamed him if he had got out when the going got tough but he stayed and the tough got going ….humm,that sounds like a song.
In all honesty, as much as he has improved of recent, I still feel he can’t get any better, and like Kuyt, I’d prefer a player that actually has been playing in the role they are handed, all their careers..Now that we have money, I have a feeling Lucas,Ngog,Kuyt and Maxi I.e The fillers…will be erm filling up other ships…For now, atleast Lucas isn’t as irritatingly ineffective as the others.
This is a good read. Lucas always gives me the impression he knows what it means to wear the red shirt. I suppose this comes from the value every Brazilian gives to wearing the Green & Gold of Brazil. You know the value of a player from his efforts in whatever match he’s playing – Lucas has been massive in games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and most every other team. His body language in the Blackburn match showed how much it hurt him for us to be losing that game. We must learn to give respect where it is due. This boy has endured so much disrespect from some of us, and not once has he said he would like to leave, instead, he continuously pledges his allegiance to the team, and all of us supporters – even those who blindingly give him grief. Good article.
Fantastic article Ben..really.
It’s nice to see that not only have you taken time to think about what you have written, but you have articulated it very well. It was also a very honest appraisal of the ‘situation’ surrounding Lucas.
There is a strong sense of positivity and support running through you’re article, and it is not only nice to see that, but also nice that the article has taken so many things into account.
We realise that Lucas has had an awful lot asked of him. To be the person that is asked to make up for the losses of Sissoko, Alonso and Mascherano is almost impossible. He has grown into a reliable player for us, and he has sacrificed himself on many occasions for us, only to get hammered by all around him. I include myself in that as well, i’ve definitely had a go at him at points, but not to the level of some of what I have seen.
It’s interesting now that he is an important player for us. I thought he could have been for us before, but as an offensive player. Rafa’s decision to play him as a holding midfielder turned it all on it’s head. Lucas deserves a lot of credit for adapting the way he has.
I’m going to involve myself in this Lucas thing again because it’s important.I too have grown to respect his commitment and guts.I would like nothing better than to see him flourish under Mr.Dalglish’s glowing,leading light.I HAVE slagged him off in the past and not without good reason:can’t really pass,gets robbed,gives away silly fouls.He could have become a petulant,want-away knob:but he didn’t,he just got on with it and he tries and he tries and i admire him for that.But as Yoda say’s “there is no try-only DO.”MAHALO
i love Lucas too. But i want more from him. I want the attacking and creative player we bought back in 07. I want him to keep improving. I want him to give us match winning performances. Attacking performances.
Rafa made him play in the attacking midfield role in 2009 on a number of occasions. Bt he wasnt give us what Gerrard has spoilt us with. So in that aspect he should develop
Those who don’t see him live in the flesh don’t appreciate his movement, his reading of a situation is awesome aswell. You never see an opposing with the ball in our half without lucas on him! Hugely undervalued
Great Read Ben :)
Lucas has gone from average to good to now Great !!
The lad wears his HUGE heart on his sleave, Open and proud..
For that alone shows the Liverpool way, Love how Lucas has shown his determination and grit with all the Nay sayers getting louder in his ear, But just gettting on with his job
and doing just that… Great Lad and a Great Read :)
Lucas has one of the highest consistent passing completion rates amongst any footballer in the league. He breaks down plays, he holds the ball when needed, he’s capable of pushing forward when necessary. Essentially he does everything that the club needs him to do in that position, which consequently lets Meireles get forward into those scoring positions that he’s been achieving.
Honestly, go look at Meireles scoring record before joining LFC and you’ll see that it was barely worth mentioning. The difference now is that he has a player like Lucas who can run the centre of midfield and give him license to push up more often that he has in the past with Porto.
Lucas isn’t glamorous and won’t single handedly destroy teams. What he does do is offer a platform for other players to go out and do those things. If he was another attacking midfielder then we’d end up with a midfield that wouldn’t work. If you don’t understand that then I suggest you go and do some reading about tactics.
“This guy is not a Brazillian. He can’t pass he has no skills no ball control and no flair.”
The first three complaints are straight up false, and as for flair, pardon my language, but who gives a flying fuck? Ronaldinho has flair but I wouldn’t want him anywhere near LFC. Lucas disrupts the opposition attack and then typically features at the beginning of an attacking possession, and he does this very effciently and very well.
“Sorry, He’s average, love his effort but that’s it. Never been a fan never will. Just watch him play with your rose tinted glasses in the bin. Why do you think we struggle, he just does not cut it.”
Sorry, but “just does not cut it” just does not cut it as criticism. Lucas’ critics can never point to specifics when complaining about him and there’s a reason why–they don’t have any to point to; they dislike him irrationally. He’s been our most consistent player across this season and last, put in many immaculate shifts in the defensive/holding midfield role, and fans at large are finally noticing his tireless, positive contribution to every game he plays in.
I don’t need to put my rose-tinted glasses in the bin when I was like many in thinking, two years ago, that he was just not good enough. I know now that he played better than I believed (although I still think he was a relative weak point in the squad which led to us coming up short in the title race), but since he has put all doubts to rest by simply going out and playing well.
Rafa had immense faith in him and it appears Dalglish does as well. Beyond what I see whenever he plays, I’ll take their word for it over someone who can only sputter that he’s “just not good enough.” What a load of bullshit.
Keep on hating for no reason, though. I’ll tell you what I tell the other few Lucas haters still around: thank god you don’t manage our team.
“Lucas isn’t glamorous and won’t single handedly destroy teams. What he does do is offer a platform for other players to go out and do those things.”
This is exactly right and also exactly the reason he’d be the first on my team sheet. I sometimes wonder if people haven’t played football or haven’t played competitively if they don’t understand the value of a player like this.
He’s SH 1 TE. You dickheads
Lucas is the the No1 reason why Liverpool midfield is lacking consistency, Some games we control well and than suddenly over midfield gets run over by very average ones like Wigan,Blackpool, Stoke etc, while I would agree Lucas has performed well against Chelsea and some teams but to say that he should be the first name on any teamsheet is not correct, he will never start at Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea,Man City, spurs let alone coming anywhere near the training ground of Nou Camp, Bernabeu, Milan etc etc….the guy simply lacks consistency and quality to be top midfielder who can bully teams and how the hell people like the author can see it differently really beats me!!!Stop the sunshiner bullshit guys if we ever want to be a top top side again our midfield must have better ones than a Lucas…its a absolute must and there is no two ways about it….as long as our midfield is run by this type of average quality than we will remain as also runs…guuys please wake up from your dreams and face reality…smell the coffee!!
First: sorry for my bad english..
Now we can all agree that Lucas and Kuyt always give 100% for the shirt, but is that enough? Put me in the team and the whole 5 min i will last i will do the same, but it doesnt mean im good enough for the team, and thats the case with both Lucas and Kuyt.
Lucas isnt very good in the breaking up job (that mascherano did so superb), neither as a withdrawn playmaker (like Alonso) mostly coz his passing range isnt good at all, or coz he never shows it. Even when he is moving the ball from side to side with safe passes he do it far to slow.
And before you all go out about his passing rate. He plays safe, 99% of his passes are to a team mate 5 meters away and mostly to his side or behind him, and that i could do (atleast those 5 min i last), just remember that the last year Alonso was in Liverpool a certain Mikel was the best passer in PL. Realy is Mikel that good? Or was he just playing “safer” than Alonso, i think he was, like Lucas does.
thank god for some sense and appreciation of Lucas. we now suffer from some blind criticism of things not British by some ex players who feel its their ticket to getting media pay cheques or it could be just out right xenophobia. we also suffer from some fans who subscribe to that attitude. I am pleased the knowledgeable kop is finding its voice and defending those who are actually committed to us and not to some external interest.
Lucas has a high passing completion rate because he generally takes the easy route…. back passes, sideways passes…. i.e. passes that don’t help the team
But more to the point is what he does after his pass. He is the supreme proponent of “pass and hide”.
I take it his fans dont see the unnecessary free kick he gives away every single game on the edge of our box…..
You Liverpool fans are the most blind type of supporters one could come across. Who cares if he just lays off short pass side ways or just ahead of him to the likes of Gerrard & Mereiles. Ahead of him he has 2 of the best midfielders who supply and create chances. What he has done more importantly as required from Dalglish is protect his back 4 or 3, hassle the opponents for the ball to prevent a rhythm going and he always makes sure his available for a pass and keeps it ticking over. Dalglish style of play does not require the Alonzo hollywood pass anymore. They keeping it short, patient, passing and moving.
Lucas is crap, can’t pass more than 5 yards, can’t shoot, can’t dribble. and what he does do is the equivalent to what 10 year olds can do. He was shit when he fame, still is shit, and will only ever go on to be shit. watching matches on tv or going to anfield, it makes no difference, he is awful wherever I watch him, and knowledgeable fans see the same thing
Lucas is a decent player..thats all…he is not good enough for Liverpool and will never be. Sell him to spain or italy it might suit him better and lets get atleast the £5m back that he cost us.