Lucas Leiva

[einar]

I don't really understand what 'potentially world class' means tbh. I assume it means that these aspects of his game do not make him world class in anything yet, but that he has potential to develop these to the very highest level. If this is what you're getting at, I don't agree. I see no reason why we should belive that Lucas has the potential to improve significantly more then other players.

Your assumption is right. I don´t see why he should have to improve more then other players. IMO players like N´gog and Agger for example could theoretically improve just as much. But I do think that because of his intelligence, attitude and work rate that he is a likely candidate for improvement.

[einar]

fair play mate, i would say with out hesitation i have seen nothing in him that i think he will have the same impact as our other 3 World class midfielders in the future game. Just dont think he does a lot of things ok.......and if he does make the grade and become World Class....good spot sir

[red g]

Your assumption is right. I don´t see why he should have to improve more then other players. IMO players like N´gog and Agger for example could theoretically improve just as much. But I do think that because of his intelligence, attitude and work rate that he is a likely candidate for improvement.

WHich are 3 things we say about Kuyt and if he can become a valuable squad member as Kuyt would be happy with that

[einar]

WHich are 3 things we say about Kuyt and if he can become a valuable squad member as Kuyt would be happy with that

Having said that I do think Lucas is far more gifted in terms of technical ability.

[red g]

Having said that I do think Lucas is far more gifted in terms of technical ability.

i would say Lucas is Young enough to get a hell of a lot better

[einar]

i would say Lucas is Young enough to get a hell of a lot better

[Finnish_Red]

Story

Lucas bulking up for next Liverpool FC title challenge

Jun 12 2009 by David Prentice, Daily Post

BRAZILIAN midfielder Lucas believes next season can be the best of his Liverpool career – because he's won a gruelling weighting game.

The international midfielder admits he was a lightweight when he made his £6m switch from Gremio in the summer of 2007.

But after piling on the pounds he now feels equipped to handle the rigours of the English Premier League.

“I have gained some weight this season and that has helped me be more prepared to play with the demands you face in England,” he explained.

“I have gained four kilos since I arrived and that's a lot. In my first season, being very honest, I had a problem with physical games. Last season, with the extra weight I feel I can challenge anyone physically and can go from one box to the other like I did in Brazil.

“Maybe it has taken me 18 months to get my body physically into the shape that it needed to be in to play to my best in England, but I feel that it is coming now for me and I am excited about my future prospects at Liverpool.”

Lucas also believed that being able to complete a full pre-season programme at Anfield for the first time would give him an added edge.

“I missed a lot of the pre-season first time with Liverpool because I was away at the Olympics with Brazil,” he explained.

“That meant that I started the pre-season, then I went away, and when I came back to the club it was hard to catch up. I had missed a lot of the important work that the boys all did together.

“Next season I will be here for the whole of the pre-season programme and I believe that will help me play to the very best of my ability when we start again in August.

“I will enjoy the rest in the summer, but already I am looking at coming back and being a better player next season.”

Lucas has never lost the support of his manager, Rafael Benitez, while he also received numerous plaudits from influential players at Anfield last season.

But there were times when he bore the brunt of fans' frustration – but he believes the experience has helped mould him into a better, stronger player.

“As an individual player I feel that I have become a better player this season, definitely,” he added.

“Everyone has bad days at the office when they feel that maybe they haven't played to 100 per cent of what they are capable of.

“I have had those days, too. Of course I have because we all have them.

“I think this has been the season which has taught me the most about myself. I have had bad moments over the last year with the crowd.

“It was hard at times, but it will all be helpful for me in the long term.

“Mentally I'm a better player. I've had the tough times and I've coped well with it and come through the other side.

“I wasn't worried about silencing people. In football you will always have your critics but you have to just keep going and hopefully when they see that you are playing well, trying hard and always doing your best, they will come onto your side.

“From my point of view, next season will be my best for Liverpool. I feel better physically and mentally at this moment than I have felt before at Liverpool.”

[andrewces38]

Edit - as above.

[andrewces38]

Story

You beat me to it by a minute

[Assassin]

Story

Good interview, I like Lucas and I a sure he will perform better and better for us

[red g]

Not convinced by him still, but he is soooo young for a centre mid spot and he shows a willingness to learn and seems to be a very grounded individual

[Guest]

Lucas will be a terrific player for us in the near future. It was obvious he struggled with the physical side of the game in England.

[kev776]

I cant raise myself to find anything in his armoury to benefit us. I dont dislike him but I just cant see how he improves us as a team.

[powerpack]

Lucas will be a terrific player for us in the near future. It was obvious he struggled with the physical side of the game in England.

agree

[Guest]

I cant raise myself to find anything in his armoury to benefit us. I dont dislike him but I just cant see how he improves us as a team.

His problem was that he could never dominate games, just because he wasn't physically up to it. He's got a very good short passing range and his movements are terrific IMO, especially in the attacking third. He's made space for himself so many times last season and found himself with great goalscoring opportunities, even though he lacked the finishing touch to prove that. But with experience this will come.

There's more than meets the eye with Lucas, and some people will be surprised.