Lucas

[Kenneth]

Surely if that was the case then Klopp would notice this and rectify the situation? I thought it was telling that Klopp kept him on after the Ramires challenge when most people were calling for him to be taken off long before that, especially with the likes of Allen available on the bench. Some people think that Lucas is just filling in because there is no one else available, but I think Klopp really rates him.

We have one defensive midfielder in our first team squad. It's ****ing ridiculous.

[dww]

It would be interesting to see a breakdown of stats on Lucas over a match. If there is any change in the last 15 minutes, I suspect that part of the problem is that as the team tires Lucas has more to do and that the things he has to do require more effort.

[RedReet]

I like Lucas, but there is a noticeable drop off in the last 15 minutes with him. I don't know if it's purely a fitness thing, or if it's because he's always booked and can't stick a leg out.

People have pointed out that he covers a great distance, I can't argue with that. I'm sure he puts in a lot of hard work in the middle of the pitch. But people misread my point. Im not saying he's the least fit in our squad, just that in the last 15 his standards slip.

For me, it's something that he really needs to work on.

Surely if that was the case then Klopp would notice this and rectify the situation? I thought it was telling that Klopp kept him on after the Ramires challenge when most people were calling for him to be taken off long before that, especially with the likes of Allen available on the bench. Some people think that Lucas is just filling in because there is no one else available, but I think Klopp really rates him.

[RedReet]

Sorry. New phone. No idea how to switch off predictive text.

Sloppy... gives the ball away when under no pressure. I think its a consentration thing.

That's not even remotely true mate.

[DannyMan2006]

I like Lucas, but there is a noticeable drop off in the last 15 minutes with him. I don't know if it's purely a fitness thing, or if it's because he's always booked and can't stick a leg out.

People have pointed out that he covers a great distance, I can't argue with that. I'm sure he puts in a lot of hard work in the middle of the pitch. But people misread my point. Im not saying he's the least fit in our squad, just that in the last 15 his standards slip.

For me, it's something that he really needs to work on.

[Assassin]

Sorry. New phone. No idea how to switch off predictive text.

Sloppy... texting when under no pressure. I think its a constipation thing.

[Charly]

Sorry. New phone. No idea how to switch off predictive text.

Sloppy... gives the ball away when under no pressure. I think its a consentration thing.

[RedReet]

Lucks is too sloppy to play the holding midfielder role. Short term we have no other options.


He does have the ability, but every time he gets injured it takes him months to hit former. And then he gets Injured again.

It's a shame as he is a great guy. I just think injuries have taken their toll, and with our defence we need someone who is 100% reliable.

Sloppy?

[Assassin]

Lucks is too sloppy to play the holding midfielder role. Short term we have no other options.


He does have the ability, but every time he gets injured it takes him months to hit former. And then he gets Injured again.

It's a shame as he is a great guy. I just think injuries have taken their toll, and with our defence we need someone who is 100% reliable.

This Lucks fella sounds like he sucks. It a good job he never makes the matchday squad

[Charly]

Lucks is too sloppy to play the holding midfielder role. Short term we have no other options.


He does have the ability, but every time he gets injured it takes him months to hit former. And then he gets Injured again.

It's a shame as he is a great guy. I just think injuries have taken their toll, and with our defence we need someone who is 100% reliable.

[RedRum]

Klopps arrival has saved our best and most experienced player from leaving. I think he would go up a level if he was the captain, he has learned from the best (Stevie).

[Darkon]

It will be interesting to see if/how Allen is used by Klopp. He has some of the skillset needed to be a useful backup for Lucas. Some of his more overt weaknesses as a deep midfielder will be mitigated if we play as high up as we have done in recent games.

I agree, Allen is an interesting case. To me he sorta falls in between the two categories of midfielders Klopp seems to be using. He is not quite a defensive midfielder as Lucas, nor is he really the box-box type. I think he needs to evolve a bit to fit in as it looks right now. Either by going more in the direction of Lucas as you point to, or by being moved further up the pitch, but I doubt he has the skills for that.

I can honestly see him being surplus come summer if he doesn't manage to add to his defensive side of the game, which is where he is closest to a role right now.

[Big-Red-Ed]

I think everyone appreciates Lucas. His problem is he has a poor injury record and seems to take forever to get up to speed again. He has definitely lost a yard or two of pace. He also picks up bookings left right and centre.

[dww]

I agree, we need another Lucas type now that we've changed our playing style. I think a lot of the criticism of Lucas stems from us not playing to his strenghts for a number of years now and he's looked surplus during that time or a rotation player. Now we're playing a more consistent pressing game with a more dedicated DM he excels again. He didn't have the requirements for the midfield role asked of Rodgers.

Hopefully he can keep it up and kick on from here and he will be a very valuable asset to the team!

It will be interesting to see if/how Allen is used by Klopp. He has some of the skillset needed to be a useful backup for Lucas. Some of his more overt weaknesses as a deep midfielder will be mitigated if we play as high up as we have done in recent games.

[danperkins]

My point is, the team I saw playing, functioned better with Lucas in the middle.

In fact, I didn't feel it functioned at all, without him on the pitch even though we might have mustered some results.

That's not really belittling or begrudging other players but sometimes you need a certain type of player in order to get the team rolling. Without him, our midfield was lost.

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