Carvalho would be a rather expensive but top class signing
Poor Lucas Leiva. He can’t catch a break.
Alongside Kolo Toure, Lucas had a very strong case to be included for the Saturday lunchtime match against league leaders Chelsea. Sadly, as many predicted, those that were ‘dropped’ at the Bernabeu were actually rested and Liverpool succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.
Lucas is the club’s only genuine defensive midfielder, with Steven Gerrard being converted to that position when he can only operate as a deep-lying playmaker. Meanwhile, Joe Allen and Emre Can are not defensive-minded players, preferring to be on the ball rather than chasing it.
At one stage, Lucas was statistically rated as one of the best anchors in the world, with only Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets having significantly better numbers in protecting the defence. This was in 2011, when the Brazilian was at his peak, having finally emerged as a fan favourite. He became a consistent performer rather than a liability, with the departures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano forcing greater responsibility onto his shoulders. He responded to that pressure and won the Player of the Season award from the Liverpool fans.
Unfortunately, in a League Cup victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November 2011 saw Lucas sustain a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for the season and he has never been the same player since. He can still tackle and sense danger, but his pace has gone and with it his peak.
Ever since this became clear, which was over a year ago, Liverpool have been in need of a top-class replacement, someone akin to the levels of Mascherano, Dietmar Hamann and Lucas in his prime.
Brendan Rodgers tried to deploy Gerrard in the role, but whilst he has the playmaking qualities, he lacks the defensive awareness. Furthermore, whilst combining Lucas and Gerrard would provide the perfect balance, together the midfield is completely devoid of speed. But with the captain set to stay in a deeper role to preserve his legs, he needs a young, quick, strong anchor alongside who can break up play and is able to distribute quickly.
There are few players around of this type who are of a world-class calibre.
[ffc-gallery]Here are five players who could reach that level for Liverpool.[/ffc-gallery]
