The 28 year old is loving life under Klopp at Anfield
Of all the players currently at LFC, none have improved or hit form quite so quickly as popular Brazilian midfielder, Lucas Leiva.
The 28 year old had, once again, seemed destined to leave Anfield at the end of the summer, with then manager Brendan Rodgers seemingly relegating him to the ‘not wanted’ pile of players.
But since Jurgen Klopp arrived as the new manager, Lucas has been given a new lease of life, coming close to recapturing the form that made him the first name on the team sheet just a few years ago.
And speaking with Globo Esporte Lucas has expressed his feelings toward his new manager, a man he feels has given him ‘new energy’ since coming to Anfield. He said: “The arrival of Klopp has given me a new energy. He shows he has enough confidence in me.
“Since he has arrived, we’ve had seven games in four weeks. It’s a high number, but he has managed to give the team a different face.
“I’ve learned a lot from him. He is very demanding, but has clear ideas about football. I have gotten along well with him in the first month.
“He is a pretty straightforward guy, as I imagined from knowing German culture, but he is open too.
“I feel close [to him], knowing he’s the boss.
“I’ve had great times at the club, but this has really been one of my best phases of my years at Liverpool.”
For a few years under Rodgers, Lucas struggled to maintain a regular starting place, either through injury or due to the manager preferring other players, usually Joe Allen. However, Klopp seems to appreciate the experience and ability that Lucas brings to the holding midfield role, with Lucas even captaining the side in James Milner’s absence last Sunday.
He continued: “It was a very special moment for me. I’ve been at Liverpool many years so I know how important it is to be captain of Liverpool.
“I’ve been here many years and managed to get the respect of the fans, but in the beginning it was very complicated.
“I had a very difficult start and really had to change people’s opinions. I wasn’t prepared. But I had the willpower, and the coaches that helped me evolve.
“I identify very strongly with Liverpool now, and I’m in my ninth season.”
