AT long last. In the game against FC Toronto, for the last 20 minutes of the match, Lucas made his eagerly awaited return to action for the Reds.
I, along with seemingly 99% of other Reds (the small minority are still there) have been waiting for that day since that day last season, when that seemingly innocuous challenge ended our midfield kingpin’s season.
I would be the first to say that we missed him.
I would even go as far as to say that our season ended when, in January, we failed to find suitable cover. I would even go as far as to say that I sometimes feel a slight bit of man-love toward him, such is my respect of his ability but more so the character that brought him through the troubles of his early career when he was deemed a threat to Steven Gerrard (not to mention that long hair) and, thus, was considered not good enough. How I weep for those people now.
Because, funnily enough, it’s those same people that are now probably shouting loudest and most joyously about his imminent return. So I will admit to a slight feeling of smugness when I see the player that the young Brazilian has matured in to. The best part of all is, he’s 25, he can only get better and he’s ours. And players like Lucas, of which there are few, are a rare commodity in today’s game. So that’s one thing, at least, that we still have to be thankful to Rafa Benitez for.
However, before he turns out for us in a competitive game, it’s important to note one thing: he’s been out for over 7 months and that length of injury can, at the very least, take a player a long time to hit his stride when he comes back. I won’t go in to the worst case scenario because the initial signs and sounds coming from the club and the medical staff are good but regardless, the lad needs to be given time.
In Lucas we have a future captain, without a shadow of a doubt. My first choice after Gerrard and Carragher retire would’ve been Reina but I’ve never been too fond of ‘keepers as captain, they’re too far from the action to influence proceedings. But Lucas has the technical ability and personality to be a superb captain and, like Gerrard, to lead by example. Those are the best types of captains.
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But for him to reach those heights and for us to get the most from him over the next 5-10 years, we need to get behind him and make sure we support him. Even if he struggles to find his feet at first. Even if he spends a few weeks making mistakes, misplacing passes and mistiming tackles. I suspect that there’ll be one or two just waiting to pounce but if Lucas can come back from this injury and return to anything like the player we saw before he was ruled out of action for the season last December, then we have already got one of the ingredients necessary to make this season one for all Liverpool fans to look forward to with optimism, excitement and a very real sense of hope.
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Excellent article, mate. Any real Liverpool fan must have a sense of pride for this guy. He’s made from the same stuff as Hyypiä. A true Red adopted son and an excellent player who still feels it’s his job to make our team better and not look for pastures new to find and easy trophy. A rare breeding. I’m glad Rodgers recognizes that. We’ll be by your side, Lucas, my compatriot. Um abraço!