1) Lucas
Lucas’s return to the side has been directly proportionate to our change in fortunes, and considering he was practically deemed surplus to requirements earlier in the season, fans and management should be on their hands and knees, begging for forgiveness.
In fact, we’ve lost just one of the 17 matches this term where he’s played over 45 minutes – and that was away to Real Madrid…
His discipline, his work-rate, his positioning, and his ability to tackle and intercept has created us a wonderful platform in the centre, which sadly Steven Gerrard was simply failing to earlier in the campaign.
Jamie Carragher actually outlined his influence recently on Monday Night Football, reported here in the Echo.
“He’s always thinking defensively and is aware of what’s going on around him, telling players to fill in for him when he vacates an area. He hasn’t got the passing ability or range of Gerrard but he breaks up play, makes simple passes forward and initiates counter attacks.
“He was in midfield every time and, in the first half, Liverpool should have scored three or four goals on the break at Villa.
“That is what he has brought into the team, and the results have improved massively since his inclusion.”
