Five positives from Liverpool’s West Ham defeat, including Lucas analysis

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Lucas is a viable centre-back option…

Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure are scaring the living daylights out of us in the Premier League, so why not drop one of them for Lucas? The Brazilian played in defence last night and did excellently, just as he did earlier in the season when used here versus Stoke. It’s definitely worth giving it a go. Jamie Carragher agrees.

The emergence of Kevin Stewart…

The FA Cup run has been wonderful for Stewart’s career. Quiet against Exeter, the 22-year-old really came into his own during the 210 minutes against West Ham, home and away. Last night, he was a menace in West Ham’s midfield, winning possession, passing cleverly and showing a real physical prowess as well. A realistic first-team option now.

The return of Daniel Sturridge, Coutinho and Divock Origi…

Sturridge back on the field, didn’t get injured – and showed everyone why he’s a huge step up from the other forwards we have available. Coutinho back on the field, scoring a free-kick which demonstrated his insane talent. Origi healthy again, displaying pace and running. Now all three could start at the weekend – and we’d love to see Sturridge and Coutinho line up alongside Roberto Firmino. It’s not happened once all season.

A free weekend… 

It’s never good being out of a competition, but there’ll be part of Jurgen Klopp that is quietly happy he can have some more time on the training field with his side. We would have had to play on the weekend of February 20th in the FA Cup 5th Round in between our two games with FC Augsburg, but now we have a week’s break – with the League Cup Final against Manchester City coming up shortly after.

No more injuries…

Thankfully, mercifully, Sturridge came through the game unscathed – as did Coutinho. Nobody else limped off, unlike against Sunderland last time out when we lost Joe Allen and Dejan Lovren. Every time Liverpool complete a match, especially one that goes into Extra Time, with no fresh health concerns, it’s a positive.

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