Lucas

[Fernandinho]

Lucas is best in tight areas with the ball. When he was playing amazingly well before his injuries (one game vs City I remember in particular) he was keeping the ball under incredible pressure and even having the assurance to go past players when most of us just wanted him to hoof it. Not sure that was Mascherano's game although it feels like him and Xabi played for us so long ago. Other than that I think Lucas is more Masch than Xabi (although probably quite different to both).

[RichC]

How much of Liverpool’s renaissance is down to Lucas?



Liverpool have the chance to break a club record on Monday night when they make the trip to Swansea having never won their opening 4 matches in a Premier League season. The last time they made such an impressive start was back in 1994/95 when Robbie Fowler netted in all three of their opening league games, with Daniel Sturridge becoming only the second ever Reds player to achieve such a feat.

It's fair to say that much of the credit has gone to the front man, and it's not surprising given the fact that his three goals have sealed 1-0 victories in each of their games thus far. Nevertheless, the fact that they have kept clean sheets in all of their three matches - the only side to do so - has played just as significant a part.

The Merseysiders have the chance to keep four consecutive clean sheets in the league and will fancy their chances of doing so having not conceded in either match against Swansea last season. With the Swans losing four and winning none of their last six home matches in the division, Brendan Rodgers will be confident of maintaining top spot after facing his former club.

While the signing of Kolo Toure has been heralded as somewhat of a masterstroke, and rightly so after the Ivorian's start at the club, Martin Skrtel was able to return to the fold and put in a great performance against United last time out. It's clear that their strength in that area has played a big part in Liverpool's success thus far, with Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori brought in to add even more competition at the back.

Liverpool have made 88 tackles in the league this season, which is eight more than any other team in the division. The fact that their closest competitors are Crystal Palace, Stoke, Sunderland and Aston Villa speaks wonders of the work rate of this Reds side, who, by nature, are under the cosh considerably less than their counterparts. It's clear that Rodgers has asked his side to pressurise the opposition, and there are few players as capable or willing to do so as Lucas Leiva.

The Brazilian took a little while to get back to his best following a lengthy spell on the sidelines but now fully fit he is one of this team's most important players. Given that the side as a whole has made the most tackles in the league it comes as no surprise that Lucas has made more than any other player in the division with 18.

His work in midfield isn't pretty, and therefore is often overlooked, but the 26-year old ticks play over nicely. Only ten players have completed more passes in the league this season (170), with Lucas' 86.7% accuracy indicative of his safety first approach, often feeding the plentiful creative players at the club having won the ball back for his side in midfield.

The Brazilian is not particularly tall, standing under 5'11", but his commitment in the challenge, be it on the ground or in the air usually sees him come out on top. He's won eight aerial duels already this season from 11 in total and after a nightmare spell with injuries he's back to his best, reinforcing the fact that he remains one of the league's strongest defensive midfielders.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/much-liverpool-renaissance-attributable-lucas-091657074.html

[RedReet]

[destinydude]

We are just 3 games in. But I hope he keeps up his level and doesn't get injured. We somehow grind it out whenever he's on the pitch. We look so fragile without him sometimes.

[Neil Young]

Has he won more tackles this year than Johnson?

[RedReet]

[kubrickscube]

The problem people had with Lucas was that he came as a Brazilian
And was pitched as a bustling box to box player. When he then came and played in a rather understated and more typically Germanic style, people were disappointed. Many jumped to the knee jerk conclusion that because he wasn't dribbling rings around players, he was therefore ****e. Which we now know is wrong. I think he's class. I also think Allen has shown enough quality to suggest he will turn out good.

[Slinky Skills]

Arn just got pwned

Aaaaarggggghhhh

[Madridred]

I'm surprised he's not in the Brazilian squad, I think he's as good or better than Luis Gustavo...

[Cormack74]

Shh the last thing we want is for him to be traipsing around the world between now and next summer.

[Arn]

I'm surprised he's not in the Brazilian squad, I think he's as good or better than Luis Gustavo...

If you are the best tackler, ball winner in the PL and a great passer and almost never give the ball away then you are right to say that you are maybe the best defensive midfielder in the world.

I think that he is the best defensive midfielder in the world but that is my opinion.

[Madridred]

If you are the best tackler, ball winner in the PL and a great passer and almost never give the ball away then you are right to say that you are maybe the best defensive midfielder in the world.

I think that he is the best defensive midfielder in the world but that is my opinion.

I wouldn't say he's the BEST defensive mid in the world but he's amongst the best

[Myo]

I wouldn't say he's the BEST defensive mid in the world but he's amongst the best

So who then, right now,is the best dm in your opinion, based upon the above stats?

[baitman]

So who then, right now,is the best dm in your opinion, based upon the above stats?

[spider-neil]

I still don't think Lucas has attained his pre injury form. He's getting there though.