Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has also given praise to Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva for his performance against Chelsea on Sunday. Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo:
“Lucas received plenty of praise for his performance on Sunday and on this occasion it was deserved. In many respects his situation reminds me of Darren Fletcher’s at Manchester United. Early on in his career the United supporters just weren’t having him. Now he is one of their most important players. Whether that happens with Lucas we’ll have to wait and see, but there’s no doubt that Rafa Benitez’s departure seems to have helped him. He has responded well to the challenge of Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles’ arrival – although it’s blatantly obvious already that Poulsen is not going to be any threat to Lucas’ place. If the Brazilian continues the way he played on Sunday he could go on to become a valuable squad player for us.”
Aldridge also put his weight behind Jamie Carragher’s claim that Steven Gerrard is Liverpool’s best ever player:
“I had the good fortune to play alongside the phenomenal Kenny Dalglish, and I believe Stevie has probably surpassed even King Kenny. What gives Stevie the edge is that Kenny actually played in a team with 10 other great players. Stevie has probably only played in a Liverpool team with four or five great players, maximum. He’s been left to carry the can for the side so many times on his own, and has usually produced. People say that Stevie can’t be considered the best of all time until he’s won a league title. But he’s single-handedly inspired Liverpool to almost every other trophy – I’m thinking of his Istanbul heroics, his incredible FA Cup final display and his goals in League and UEFA Cup finals.”
STELLA WDM RESULTS
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TOP TEN LIVERPOOL MOMENTS OF THE DECADE
As we come closer to the end of 2010, I thought it might be good to look back at the last decade and see all the memorable moments Liverpool have had during that time. Of course, the most immediate memory is the Champions League final in 2005, but there are also individual memories such as Gerrard’s goals against Olympiakos in 2005 on the way to the “Miracle in Istanbul,” and the “Gerrard final” of 2006 where Stevie dragged the team to win the FA Cup. Also I have shared memories of instances that occurred under Gerard Houllier’s tenure such as the Golden Goal winner in the UEFA Cup final in 2001, Gary McAllister’s injury time free kick in the Merseyside Derby and John Arne Riise’s goal against Manchester United that nearly broke the goal post in two.
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Aldridge just can’t stop having a go at Rafa can he? Rafa bought Lucas and he was the one that kept the faith in Lucas but instead John wants to give the credit to Roy, puzzling right?
From what i can remember, Fletcher was deployed as a hard working right wide midfielder (like Kuyt or Park) and the Mancs weren’t having it, but Fergie kept sticking him in there regardless. It’s only when he was switched into the central midfield role where the creativity & flair that he didn’t have were no longer required, that he began to be accepted as a good first teamer.
Lucas has consistently played in our central midfield for over 2 years now – not quite the same situation after all…
Jay Wright….you’re wrong….Fletcher may have played a few games out wide….but he was and has always been played in the centre midfield for Utd. I have been saying the same thing as Aldo for the last couple of seasons to my mates. The similarities between Lucas and Fletcher are uncanny…and now Fletcher is one of the first names down on the team sheet. The problem is everyone will expect performances week in week out like against Chelsea…..no player plays at 100% for every game of the season….you’re lucky if you get 10 games where your at top form…that goes for Gerrard/Torres/Rooney/Fabregas..the lot, but when it comes to a player like Lucas he’s expected to perform miracles every single game. He always saves his best for playing the top sides and if he continues to do that I will be very happy as Sunday showed….when he’s at his best he’s up there with the best of them….just unfortunately everyone expects that constantly…The guy is proving he’s getting to another level…but still is getting knocked…get off his fupping back and be proud to support him, he’s proved his mentality and know all he needs is the support…imagine what he would be like if felt wanted FFS. The guy is the ultimate professional just like Kuyt and I would have players like that in my side any day of the week over the likes of Nani…Lucas…keep up the good work and best of luck.