Lucas - 150 games not out - well done!

[scousertony88]

You will hear it more and more, it cannot be stopped. Soon you will realize that you have been the odd one all along. You will be in a lonely place, and your hatred of the rest of the mankind for not seeing the world your way will eat you up, little by little. It is your fate, you cannot escape it. And it all started with a football player called Lucas...

 

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[gingerhulk]

A good article about lucas, well worth a read. Some of the stats from sunday are brilliant

 

A tackle-back and possession was immediately regained in a snapshot of the mindset of Kenny Dalglish's revolution. Amid the focus upon the act of fate which saw £50million striker Fernando Torres making his Chelsea debut against his former club, the man in question was Lucas Leiva. Liverpool's No.21 demonstrated why he has emerged as a lynchpin.

 

Martin Kelly, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Raul Meireles and, of course, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard are to list six names from the 13 heroes for those in red on Sunday, when Torres was brutally outplayed in the wake of what has been labelled an act of treachery. But the transformation of Lucas deserves special mention.

 

The 2007 arrival from Gremio is often used as a label for the faults in the Liverpool reign of Rafa Benitez; a mistake in the transfer market; a square peg for a round hole. But the former Anfield boss was always rigorous in his defence of a player upon who he spent £6m and once announced that 'people just don't know how good Lucas is'.

 

General consensus is that among the wretched 12 months that was 2010 for Liverpool, Lucas was the man who stood out as the club's best player. While team-mates and managers wilted around him, the now-24-year-old showed spirit for the fight as sceptics and opponents circled like vultures.

 

The man from Dourados, a city in the south west of Brazil, had presumably been hardened by the barrage of negativity he had been forced to shoulder since crossing the Atlantic almost four years earlier. Lucas himself told skysports.com in an interview conducted in March 2010: "I don't know why the criticism started with me, but some people just do not like me."

 

Lucas arrived at Anfield as an attacking midfielder, who made late runs into the box and essentially represented a Brazilian version of captain Gerrard. But Benitez decided he would be best deployed in the responsible holding role, having never trusted Gerrard to fill such a position. The 2007 Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was famously an illustration as the hot-headed Gerrard was substituted by Benitez in favour of Lucas, who went on to secure a match-winning penalty.

 

The sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid led to a regular first-team role for Lucas alongside Javier Mascherano, who has since joined Barcelona. However, the arrival of Roy Hodgson in the summer of 2010 seemed set to spell the end of his Liverpool career. He was told he could leave if he wanted and did not seem to feature in his new manager's plans. But the fighting spirit, which is not always evident in South American imports to the Premier League, again shinned and a first-team place was reclaimed.

 

Hodgson has gone, Lucas remains. He is clearly an integral part of Dalglish's plans, as well as inheriting Brazil's famous No.5 shirt under former Gremio boss Mano Menezes. The transformation from boo-boy to midfield engine room has been remarkable and it now appears that the much-sought-after commodity of time in football was the vital element. Lucas needed to settle, especially after arriving on a foreign continent, just out of his teenage years, and being deployed in a different position to that which earned the Bola de Ouro, the Brazilian Footballer of the Year, in 2006. A look at the Chelsea team-sheet on Sunday provided a perfect example of how difficult it can be for South Americans to find form and avoid injury in the rough and tumble of the Premier League as Ramires was not even named among the substitutes, despite costing three times as much as his compatriot.

 

There is a need to not to get carried away. The frustrating elements of Lucas' game remain evident; he started slowly against Chelsea; he can get caught in possession; he can give away clumsy free-kicks. But, as demonstrated by his tackling back in a direct duel with Michael Essien, there is the pride in personal performance that is rated so highly by Dalglish and mistakes have significantly decreased in frequency. 13 Premier League points have been collected under Dalglish in the process of close to 400 minutes without conceding a goal.

 

 

Argument

A look at Lucas' Opta statistics during his 90-minute, plus injury-time, outing against Chelsea demonstrates his improvement. His overall pass completion rate was an incredible 88.89 per cent, 81.82% when in the opponents' half of the field. These figures are very similar to his contribution for the 2010/11 campaign to date, with an overall pass completion of 84.02% and 81.08% when in the opponents' section of the field. One goal has been assisted and 14 chances created from a total of 1133 passes.

 

The obvious argument would be to suggest that the majority of passes have been simple 10-yard side-foots when under no pressure. But there is a skill to decision-making when doing the unsung task. Ask Sergio Busquets. A destructive force has also been added to Lucas' game. Ninety-nine tackles have been made throughout the season at a success rate of 66.67%. Four yellow cards have been collected. The second booking earned in the defeat to Stoke in November was an act of petulance, but also a reflection of new-found aggression. Seven tackles were made against Chelsea. This may not sound a lot, but that is one player recording exactly one third of Liverpool's entire tackle count at Stamford Bridge.

 

Lucas does not possess the natural pace, power and overall athleticism to dictate midfields, but he is beginning to patrol in front of the defence, whether it be three or two centre-backs, with brilliant effect.

 

He deserves immense praise amid the clamour for Dalglish to be given a permanent contract and the dissections of Torres' terrible 65-minute Chelsea debut. Lucas embodies what Dalglish seems to be trying to impose upon his team - a personal freedom within a team responsibility.

 

The changing man | Sky Sports | Blogs | The Insider

[Mike D]

wondering if he'll get more International call ups, dont think he's had many?

[Aldonose]

Still has the ability to be woeful, but deserves so much credit for the improvement in his general level of performance this season. I think his attitude is first class.

[Kozel9]

I think he has potential to be even better. Remember he is still young. But glad to finally see him improving quick now. He has definately been one of the better performers the last couple of weeks.

[WrongIslander]

Lucas is our Darren Fletcher. Overhyped at first and playing out of position but he was moved, he settled into the league and now he's a quality player.

 

Fletcher is another quality player who is completely overlooked despite being for my money as important to that United midfield as anyone.

 

I understand people asking him to "use the space" better but I don't think that is down to him. He's the most defensive of our midfielders and also the most disciplined, so if him winning the ball back and passing it short is "all" he does, I'm fine with that, he allows Gerrard and Meireles the space and peace of mind to attack. Lucas's job is not to drive midfield, it isn't to rake passes all over the park, it's the underrated job of win it and give it and be there to get it back if needed and it's a job he's improving on by the game.

 

Makelele was hardly a player who could "hurt you" was he?

[WrongIslander]

Still has the ability to be woeful, but deserves so much credit for the improvement in his general level of performance this season. I think his attitude is first class.

 

Everyone has the ability to be woeful. Gerrard has set up Henry for more goals than most Arsenal players but that's quickly forgotten. Why people continue to hold Lucas' mistakes against him is beyond me. The lad has been our best player this season and deserves far more than people pointing out he CAN make mistakes.

 

Watching him in and around the box and how he's winning free kicks and his importance to our defence in tight situations proves how far he's come in that respect. We all remember that lad who looked like a rabbit scared in the headlights when he was asked to do anything in his own area but he's long gone.

[gingerhulk]

Still has the ability to be woeful, but deserves so much credit for the improvement in his general level of performance this season. I think his attitude is first class.

 

This is whats makes me really like the lad. He took so much shit from the fans, but he never threw the towel in, fantastic attitude and great mental toughness for a young player.

[Aldonose]

This is whats makes me really like the lad. He took so much shit from the fans, but he never once throw the towel in, fantastic attitude and great mental toughness for a young player.

 

To come to a foreign league at such a young age, and be asked to play a position that is totally alien to you must be difficult to say the least. To then take the stick he's taken on top of that means he must have a really strong mentality to have knuckled down and improved to the level he's showing now.

[Coro]

Lucas embodies what Dalglish seems to be trying to impose upon his team - a personal freedom within a team responsibility.

 

Wonderfully put.

[MLB]

He has been excellent recently. Still think we can do better, but even if we do bring someone else in I would try and keep hold of him.

[Trucker Paddy]

No excuse for his contract and Ngogs for that matter to have been still not sorted by now

[Monster Masch]

I have been one of Lucas's biggest critics but I can happily say he's a good, if not very good footballer now.

 

I watched yesterdays game again and the lad was fucking outstanding. He constantly got his foot in and more often than not, he came out with the ball. The highlight was towards the end of the game when we were under pressure, he won the ball at the edge of our own box, ran out wide, knocked it past a Chelsea player and played a long ball which would have seen Kuyt through only for the onrushing Cech.

 

He's improved massively this season. The Brazillian is finally coming out in him and I don't mean the Samba Skills but the composure in tight areas along with very good distribution of the ball. Even more so under Kenny with players constantly making themselves available. He's beefed up this season and my first notification of this was the Napoli game, when he floored the opposition defender which set-up Gerrard to complete his hat-trick.

 

Hope he keeps it up. At 24, he's worth a keep.

[Pidge]

Ah... so Lucas is the insider... now we know.

 

Joking of course, love the lad and the spirit he's shown.

[isr]

Code just killed a kitten.

 

Fratricide?

:whistle:

[Joey8FrogsLegs]

Has kept improving steadily and is still developing. Has proved he can perform in a deluded team slipping downhill under a clueless manager. If he can keep performing also with the new positive style of play under Kenny with the team improving, well what can you say. Very impressed with him, especially considering the lack of support he's had from the stands.

[KopOut]

Keeps getting better and better, and has great enthusiasm; like Agger, he's really responding to Kenny's coaching. Much better looking than Torres. You don't see Lucas jumping ship.

When he's inspired, he has a far greater output and actually is exciting to watch dashing out of defense to get our attck going.

Great to have him at the club.

[Strontium]

All these people saying we can "do better" than Lucas - who, exactly, do you have in mind?

[silverlining]

All these people saying we can "do better" than Lucas - who, exactly, do you have in mind?

 

 

Banega

Tiote

McCarthy (Wigan)

Henderson (Sunderland)

De Jong

Adam

Milner

Wilshere

Essien

Moutinho

Nolan

Barton

Cattermole

De Rossi

Schweinsteiger

Cambiasso

Fellaini

Rodwell

Martinez

Diarra (L)

Veloso

Defour

Inler

M'Vila

Parker

Makoun

 

 

I could go on, but there's fucking LOADS of better players than Lucas, who could play his role.

 

That's before you get to Barca's entire midfield, or Madrid's, or any number of other top clubs, all of whom have several players better than Lucas in CM.

[Wor Horse]

Your username is pretty funny for someone so negative!

 

I was one of his biggest critics but you can't argue with how well he's kicked on.

[silverlining]

Your username is pretty funny for someone so negative!

 

I was one of his biggest critics but you can't argue with how well he's kicked on.

 

Yeah, but you'd think he was a cross between Mascherano, Souness and McMahon the way some people quack on.

 

He's improved, but I'd still replace him in a New York minute given the chance, because he's still not good enough.

[Mr T]

Parker?

 

As in Scott Parker?

 

Barton?

 

Are you advocating the signing of either of these players over Lucas? If so rather than calling you a fucking cunt, I'll use a smiley: :wallbutt:

[silverlining]

Parker?

 

As in Scott Parker?

 

Barton?

 

Are you advocating the signing of either of these players over Lucas? If so rather than calling you a fucking cunt, I'll use a smiley: :wallbutt:

 

They're both much better than Lucas. In every way. And always have been.

[king7]

Banega

Tiote

McCarthy (Wigan)

Henderson (Sunderland)

De Jong

Adam

Milner

Wilshere

Essien

Moutinho

Nolan

Barton

Cattermole

De Rossi

Schweinsteiger

Cambiasso

Fellaini

Rodwell

Martinez

Diarra (L)

Veloso

Defour

Inler

M'Vila

Parker

Makoun

 

 

I could go on, but there's fucking LOADS of better players than Lucas, who could play his role.

 

That's before you get to Barca's entire midfield, or Madrid's, or any number of other top clubs, all of whom have several players better than Lucas in CM.

 

Great. What did you base that list on? Numbers from some computer game?

[sh#t waffle]

Some of those in that list are among the best players in the world, and you'll get very little argument that they're not superior to Lucas. You spoil your point hugely however by also including players that you've blatantly only watched about twice, as well as ones that are blatantly shit.