Leiva, Lucas

[TLW]

LUCAS LEIVA PROFILE by Dave Usher     Date of Birth - 09/01/87 Nationality - Brazilian Position - Midfielder Squad Number - 21 Cost - £5M Club Hons (Lpool) - Club Hons (other) - Intnl Hons - Brazil caps Other Clubs - Gremio

Promising young Brazilian midfielder who arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2007 from Gremio for a fee of around £5m. Known as 'Lucas', the youngster had made a big impression in his homeland since making his debut in October 2005, and he was the youngest player ever to win the Bola de Ouro - an award for the best player in the Brazilian league.

Previous winners of that award include Zico, Romario and Kaka. Lucas isn't that kind of player however, he's certainly not a typical Brazilian player, in that he isn't one for fancy flicks and showboating. He's more of an English style box to box midfielder, which is probably what attracted so many English clubs to him.

After captaining Brazil's u20 side to success in the 2007 South American Championships, Lucas was being tracked by a number of clubs in the Premiership, as well as La Liga. However, Liverpool had moved early and lready had a deal wrapped up for him.

His competitive debut for the reds came as a substitute in the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse, and his first start was in the Carling Cup against Reading. His senior debut for Brazil followed shortly after against Algeria.

Lucas' first goal for Liverpool came in the 5-2 FA Cup win over Havant & Waterlooville, when he curled in a stunning strike from 25 yards to cancel out a shock early goal for the non-leaguers. He would have opened his account much sooner but for a handball on the goal-line from Eerton's Phil Neville in the Merseyside derby.

Lucas had controversially been brought on to replace skipper Steven Gerrard, but he vindicated his manager's decision when he broke into the box and sent a shot goalwards that was handled by Neville, allowing Dirk Kuyt to score a last minute winner from the penalty spot.