Lucas

[dww]

Damn, no chalkboard for FA cup.

I do remember a few stray passes during the game, but what stood out was that even when under pressure he did always try to pick a man out (or carry the ball a bit which I’d like to see more of in future) instead of hoofing. That was evident from most of our players to be fair and it was refreshing to see. It’s also understandable that pass completion is likely to drop if the other team have an extra man for most of the game. I thought we controlled the midfield quite well for most of the game yesterday, and considering Meireles was way below par, Lucas must take a lot of credit for that.

I agree, he deserves credit for his defensive play. In terms of his intentions I think you have a point too, he did adopt a good, to feet style. On the other hand there were a couple of times where he had an opportunity to release someone quickly and he took too long to do it. Hopefully when we play a more forward thinking game more often this problem will disappear.

“his lack of acceleration causes problems in terms of linking up different parts of the team at the minute”

What exactly do you mean by this?

I mean that players like Mascherano had the acceleration to mean that a/ he could rapidly move to cover if say a fullback pushes up into midfield or a CB like Agger move forward with the ball. Also when the ball comes out from defense a player with greater acceleration/pace can move more quickly to bring the ball from defense to midfield.

The more compact the team is and the higher they press and the better runs made by others the less this is a problem but our overall lack of pace/acceleration in both midfield and defense is a problem and Lucas doesn't help.

It is perhaps unfair to single him out for criticism for it but DM is a pivotal position.

I really like Lucas as a player and don't mean to come across as critical really.

[Craig_H]

I dont worry about Lucas anymore. That's a significant thing for me.

When i dont worry about seeing a player on the teamsheet, and i dont worry about him getting the ball in the middle of a crowded midfield, then i know he's made the grade.

[Drago]

I dont worry about Lucas anymore. That's a significant thing for me.

When i dont worry about seeing a player on the teamsheet, and i dont worry about him getting the ball in the middle of a crowded midfield, then i know he's made the grade.

I'm sure Lucas is now safe in the knowledge he's made it. Craig H has pasted his blessing

[Craig_H]

I'm sure Lucas is now safe in the knowledge he's made it. Craig H has pasted his blessing

I didnt mean it like that I meant that's one way i decipher which players are good enough and which perhaps arent. You know what it's like, someone gets the ball in a tough area and you think "FFS, dont give it to him there!"

You smartarse.

[Drago]

Calm yourself, I know what you meant.

[Craig_H]

[Fredo]

Lucas was doing the job of two men sunday. He was all over the pitch closing down people and making himself available to team mates (not in a sexual way). The last 10 minutes he was exhausted to the point I was wondering if he would see the game out. He almost single handedly snuffed out the scum midfield. It is hardly surprising his distribution was not up to its usual level.

Some people are so fickle.........Lucas was either our MOM or runner up

Of course, how could he do that on a football pitch, despite this being a climaxing affair.

[RedReet]

I agree, he deserves credit for his defensive play. In terms of his intentions I think you have a point too, he did adopt a good, to feet style. On the other hand there were a couple of times where he had an opportunity to release someone quickly and he took too long to do it. Hopefully when we play a more forward thinking game more often this problem will disappear.

I usually find that one of the stronger aspects to Lucas’ game to be honest. I couldn’t argue either way about yesterday’s game though as when you’re drinking during the match you tend to miss a lot between pissing and replenishing your beverage. I do remember one or two first time balls to Torres though when he was either brushed aside too easily by the defender or not on the same wavelength which was disappointing.

I mean that players like Mascherano had the acceleration to mean that a/ he could rapidly move to cover if say a fullback pushes up into midfield or a CB like Agger move forward with the ball. Also when the ball comes out from defense a player with greater acceleration/pace can move more quickly to bring the ball from defense to midfield.

The more compact the team is and the higher they press and the better runs made by others the less this is a problem but our overall lack of pace/acceleration in both midfield and defense is a problem and Lucas doesn't help.

It is perhaps unfair to single him out for criticism for it but DM is a pivotal position.

I really like Lucas as a player and don't mean to come across as critical really.

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Lucas and Masch have a race. Masch wasn’t slow, but because of his wee legs he did look faster than I believe he actually was as he scampered along. I can see why pace would be beneficial in this position, but as you say once we get our tactics right and as Lucas develops into the role I really can’t see it being that much of a problem.



Anyway my initial point was just to highlight how well he’s done when considering 18 months ago 90% of fans wouldn’t have had him near the team, 6 months ago he was told to he could leave, yet now he finds himself in the position where he’s arguably one of the first names on everyone’s team sheet.



(I actually had a better thought out reply in my head before I went to football, but it's gone now and this crap is the best I could come up with. My original post was also lost when I accidentally shut down my work PC, so that too was a diluted version of the point I wanted to make. I should have just wrote ‘Lucas is Boss ' and left it at that )

[Paddy]

[Drago]

Lucas: We must kill games

Ton-up Lucas Leiva admits Liverpool were left to lament missed opportunities following their 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic - but insisted the fact they extended their unbeaten run to six matches should not be overlooked.
Raul Meireles fired the Reds into a first-half lead against Roberto Martinez's side on Saturday, taking his tally to five goals in six matches.

However, Steve Gohouri equalised for the Latics on 65 minutes - although there was a strong shout of offside in his finish.

Lucas acknowledges the Reds were frustrated not to have taken three points from the contest, but feels there is no reason to become too downcast - particularly as they were only the width of a crossbar away from winning the contest when Luis Suarez's free-kick rattled the woodwork towards the end of the encounter.

The Brazilian told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We are disappointed with the result. We created enough chances to win the game, but we conceded a goal that I think was offside and unfortunately the referee didn't see it.

"Even in the first half, Suarez hit the post. As I said, we had enough chances to win but unfortunately we did not take them and we conceded.

"We have to make sure we kill the game when we have chances and try and get the three points.

"But we are still unbeaten and we have to keep going. We know how difficult it's going to be until the end of the season, so we have to just keep working."

Suarez could consider himself unfortunate not to have marked his first Liverpool start with a goal after striking the post in the first half before later hitting the bar.

Nonetheless, Lucas was impressed with the performance of his new teammate.

"In the first game he played he showed he has quality and he can score goals," he said.

"Unfortunately he was a bit unlucky against Wigan in hitting the crossbar and the post, but he was really lively and helped the team to create chances. Hopefully he can give the same performance in the next game."

Lucas was also eager to praise Meireles, who continued his magnificent run of goalscoring form with a typically crisp first-half volley.

However, the Portuguese midfielder was removed from the action moments into the second period due to illness.

"We are really happy with the way he is scoring goals," said Lucas. "He is playing with more freedom now just behind the strikers and he will have more chances. Hopefully he can keep scoring and helping us."

It was a landmark afternoon for Lucas, who reached the milestone of 100 league appearances for Liverpool.

The 24-year-old admits he is delighted to have clocked up his Reds ton - but he's already set his sights on surpassing the 200 mark.

He said: "I am very proud to have achieved 100 league games for Liverpool. I don't think too many Brazilians have achieved this in the Premier League. I am looking forward to playing more games and hopefully making another 100 appearances.

"I think everyone can see how I have changed. In my first season I was only young and a boy learning about English football.

"Today, I am really settled and feeling comfortable on the pitch. Hopefully I will keep working and keep improving."

Liverpool will now turn their attentions to Thursday's Europa League last 32, first-leg showdown with Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic.

And Lucas feels it is important the Reds put their Wigan frustrations behind them as they prepare to resume duties in a competition that provides a genuine chance of silverware.

"We have to learn from our mistakes and improve for the next game," he said. We have two games now in the Europa League and we want to move forward in the competition.

"We have a chance to win some silverware, so we have to make sure we do everything right to be sure we are in the next round."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/lucas-we-must-kill-games

[RedReet]

Still can't believe this isn't sorted, I thought the Napoli rumours were just a load of balls.

Lucas wants Liverpool stay & hails impact of Kenny Dalglish
Brazilian praises manager's work since arriving on Merseyside

By Adithya Ananth

Lucas says he would like to stay at Liverpool beyond the end of the season.

The Brazilian has 18 months left on his contract with the club, and concedes that no talks concerning a new deal have begun yet.

But he remains hopeful of earning a new contract and continuing to contribute to the cause on Merseyside.

"Always in the summer a few players will go and a few players will come, so we have to wait and see," Lucas said, according to the Liverpool Echo.

"I hope to be one of those that stays in the summer. Why not? I’m doing everything to show I am capable to be here.

"There haven’t been any talks over a new deal."

Lucas also believes that the arrival of Kenny Dalglish has galvanised the Reds, prior to which they were having trouble holding down a mid-table position.

But Roy Hodgson's dismissal and the Scot's arrival, coupled with the appointment of first-team coach Steve Clarke, have paved the way for the Merseysiders to move up to sixth in the table.

"He [Dalglish] is really important for the club and the fans,” said the midfielder.

"As soon as he arrived, we changed the way we were training, but the most important thing has been his presence in the training ground.

“The team now trusts in everybody and we have to move on and keep going. We know we can compete and beat anyone, as we have shown."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/03/09/2386250/lucas-wants-liverpool-stay-hails-impact-of-kenny-dalglish?

[Rudo]

He simply has to stay. Progressing and maturing all the time.

[Drago]

Letting Lucas's contract run out would be a very silly idea.

[Exiled_red]

Give him a new contract, whether he's a first team regular or just a squad player next year we shouldn't let him go.

[Maxiedge]

He can still be a little bit clumsy on the ball sometimes but his break up play is fantastic.