Lucas: to many Liverpool fans the name signifies a figure of fun, ridicule and scapegoat-ism. To some: a player whose very existence fuels more ire than is logical. A young man that arrived at Anfield with the tag ‘the Brazilian Steven Gerrard’ and came out the other side of the past 3 seasons being compared to something more akin to the Icelandic David May. The question is: what is it that made him so unpopular with a section of his own supporters? At what point in the first few months of his Liverpool career did a player with apparently so much promise come to be deemed the cause of all the teams’ ills?
As a prospect, Lucas is a promising young footballer. As a player, he is an above-average youngster with a lot of top-level experience already. He has played for one of the biggest clubs in his native Brazil before moving onto one of the biggest clubs in the world, and has played several times already for his country; even captaining the U21 side on numerous occasions, and all of this before his 21st birthday. So surely his talent (or prospective talent) cannot be in question, as his 3 ‘full’ seasons as a Liverpool player he has played 83 games for club and country (78 for his club), scoring 4 times assisting in 11 goals. For a player who usually (although, has on occasion played further forward) sits in what is, effectively, ‘the hole’ in front of the back four those are not bad stats at all. They compare favorably to his usual partner in that deep, two-man midfield – Mascherano – with whom he often formed a very destructive partnership under Rafa Benitez, and who in the same period of time managed 132 games for club and country, with only 2 goals and 4 assists. Some would argue that they are different players, with different roles and, ordinarily, that would be true. However, under Benitez both players tended to occupy the same area of the field, with the same role and perhaps only slightly differing orders. The fact remains however, that they played in the same area of the field, with similar success. The difference being that Mascherano is feted as a master of his art. Some would even say he is the best in his position in the world since Claude Makelele’s retirement. Indeed, this would appear to be true, as the Opta stats for last season show that he was the most successful tackler in the Premier League, and managed close to 200 tackles and a success rate of 81%. On the other hand, Lucas Leiva is not often seen so favourably and yet the stats show that for the same season, he played only 8 less games overall and yet managed to be the third most successful tackler in the League. During the same season, his pass completion rate reached 84%, bettered only by one player. Given that he was top at Christmas with 87% and his level dropped only 3% in the ensuing 5 months suggests he maintained a high-level all season long, and yet this again goes unnoticed.
On the other hand, he committed somewhere in the region of 60 fouls last season, picking up 9 yellow cards which may point to his lack of either discipline or experience in the position he currently occupies. It may also go some way to explain why he is often cited as the prime reason for the first teams woes, as given the importance of the position he occupies, free-kicks, corners and penalties are all likely to lead to goal-scoring (and potentially game-losing) opportunities but blame cannot always lie solely with one player, as is the case in any sports team.
As already mentioned, his comparisons on arrival to Steven Gerrard will have done him no favours. Comparing young, untried and unheard of players to legends of the game is a crime often committed by even the most experienced managers. Xabi Alonso was only able to rise above such comparisons after it became obvious he was a totally different type of player, and quite a good one at that. So comparing this rather expensive young Brazilian to the club’s captain – a man who had already attained near mythical status with his match-winning performances – will have already set alarm bells ringing in many fan’s minds (remember Diao, remember Diarra?). Coupled with this, one of Lucas’s first major contributions was during a derby at Goodison where he had a huge hand in winning the game when coming on as a substitute… for his captain. So, perhaps the suggestion by his former manager that he could someday be considered an equal to Steven Gerrard, simply meant to some supporters that he one day would replace him, and this signaled a threat to their hero. Many a player’s fledgling career has crashed and burned thanks to un-warranted comparisons. It would be unjust to let Lucas Leiva go the same way for comments made by others that may have riled some supporters.
The stats and facts then, would seem to point to a promising young midfielder, who is simply a victim of circumstance; wrong place, wrong time. His ability going forward has yet to be fully tested but his assists/goals from such a deep-lying position show promise in this area. In much the same way that his fouls/yellow cards suggest that he is not, by trade, a naturally defensive player. This might suggest that Lucas has yet to find (or have found for him) his natural position. Benitez preferred him in a ‘support’ holding role alongside Mascherano. While Hodgson – having already entrusted him with the captaincy a number of times in pre-season, ahead of senior players – may well prefer him in a role with more responsibility; somewhere further up-field, where he can demonstrate his passing and technique more. Perhaps from here, in a more settle team, now that the transfer window has closed a few more outstanding performances may finally win over any remaining doubters.
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Very easy….toooooo erratic in his passing abilities.
Stats can be manipulated to make any player seem better or worse than he actually is.
Lucas is not good enough for Liverpool. He has little or no talent with a ball at his feet, is not a natural tackler or passer. Liverpool fans aren’t stupid nor do they pick on players for no good reason. Lucas has had more chances at Anfield than he deserves. The day he is sold most fans will be happy.
Our midfield is weaker when Lucas is in it.
In the holding role he gives too many balls away & too many free kicks in dangerous positions. His passing ability up to 10 feet (sideways) is ok but beyond that not good. He is a better player a little more forward where he can play a 1-2 & get into the opposition area (invariably getting the promise of a penalty as he goes down), which comes to another point he is lightweight when in possession!
I know for a fact he was offered to Chelsea and Man. City before we bought him, for 5M. They looked at him and both said he can’t run!! We then bought him for 6M. Enough said!!
i’m a big fan of lucas and think he’s very useful to have on the bench. i dont think he should be in our starting 11. he has a great attitude. decent player.
beware quoting the pass completion rate: people like john terry usually come top simply because they make very short, simple risk free passes. this DOESN’T mean that he’s a great passer.
I don’t think you know what you’re talking about Silver Fox, we beat a number of clubs to his signing. Part of me actually wants Lucas to leave and become a success somewhere in Italy or Spain. I hope he proves you doubters wrong and me and the other believers right 😉
Steve E is pretty much spot on… he’s better as a traditional CM not a DM
One thing Lucas can do well – get a reaction out of you lot!
Lucas is still young but this season is last chance at Liverpool.He is not good enough for LFC now.
I’m sorry pf my info comes from a member of the scouting staff and was given this info straight after he signed for us. I think you are right he would be a success in Italy or Spain but he will never hack it in the Premier League. Just watch him he either not get close enough to make a tackle ( not enough pace ) or if he does get there 9 times out of 10 he’ll commit a foul. I’m afraid that being a decent player and bloke isn’t enough these days
Lucas is a good player, with the potential to get better. I don’t even want to start providing evidence who the fans who ‘go to games’ but obviously put on their official LFC blindfolds as soon as they’ve found their seats, he’s no worse than John Obi Mikel who is first team for Chelsea. You need understated players in the team to do the work for players like Steven Gerrard/Frank Lampard to excel. Managers can always attest to this, and that why he plays and continues to play, even if you want to have a cry and moan about it. It takes a different type of fan to acknowledge his contribution, but any Liverpool should be getting behind any player who dons the shirt. Anyway, well-written article, I appreciate the stats because it shows you wanted a factual basis on which to write your opinions and not come out with some Daily Mail rubbish. It’s unfortunate about these other comments.
Get real jay you’re in the minority if he had the potential he would have got better by now. It summed it up that Stoke were interested in him at the end of the transfer window again from a good source. He is not good enough for LFC
At last – bloody well said Jay!
he is worst player ever to wear the red shirt in recent history
agree with Jay and I am delighhted we have signed Meireles who is more of an Alonso replacement than a Mascherano one , we have got Poulsen in and from what I have seen and heard Lucas is a much better player than Poulsen I would have liked a better natural defensive mid to replace Masch and if we had or do sign Lassana Diarra was available this summer for around £9m then our centre midfield would look really strong with a lot of attacking and defensive options from Diarra,Lucas,Meireles,Gerrard and J.Cole, in my opinion in a year or two Lucas will be regarded as a good player by most fans who aren’t stubborn granted he is not very creative but thats not his job and that is why we have brought in players like Meireles and J.Cole, I am hoping in January Roy solves our 2 main problems 1. a back up striker Mario Gomez, Carlton Cole, Roman Pavlyuchenko have all been mentioned and 2. realise we need pacey, tricky,creative wingers, it has been obvious for years Riera,Benayoun,Kuyt,Rodriguez,Jovanovic despite all being good players none of them are going to terrorise a full back like Aaron Lennon,Adam Johnson etc. Babel could have solved that problem has but never lived up to his potential which is why I think we should sell Babel£9m,Rodriguez£5m,Poulsen£4m, and permanet deals for players who are out on loan Degen£1.5m,El Zhar£1m,Ayala£2m,Insua£4.5m,Aquilani£13.5m then we should and could buy Lassana Diarra£9m{a defensive midfielder that can fill Mascherano’s boots},Keisuke Honda£12m{a wonderful player not just because of the WC but he can play either wing or in the hole has a fantastic left foot ,he would also bring in revenue from Asia and when Arsene Wenger call’s u a footballing genius u know ur good},Ashley Young£18m{this guy is what Babel could have been an excellent out an out winger who is very two footed and comfortable on either wing, loves running at defender and can beat them with pace or tricks}, a striker for around £10m I would be happy with any of the three mentioned above, I dont think we need a household name as we will only be starting 1up front most of the time with J.Cole or Gerrard in behind but someone who knows where the goal is and can fill the void left by Nando or partner him against lesser teams but if I were Roy the first two I would snap up would be Honda and Young as if we got these two Kuyt and Jovanovic could play up front more often and act as cover for Torres while Poulsen can fill in for Lucas or Meireles
I can’t make up my mind about lucas.
He’s got good technical ability and I can recall some superb assists – when he sees them – but he’s frustrating in how he dwells in possession. After three years fans feel no expectation when he receives the ball, he just seems to lack the quick wit you need to excel in midfield in the premier league.
However, something tells me that he will continually mature and improve as a player – similar to Darren Fletcher at Man Utd – and could become a really useful and reliable midfield enforcer.
He’s an unfashionable player and needs a patient manager – which Roy is – to allow him to continue to progress and with experienced pros like Poulsen and Meireles coming in, Lucas is being given every chance to learn his trade this season.
This will be his make or break season for Liverpool because otherwise I see a similar player in Spearing currently offering everything Lucas can, but with more attacking attributes.
After reading your article, people are still commenting on him giving the ball away?
For the uneducated people on here talking this nonsense, that means in 100 passes he only FAILS to complete the pass 14% times! Do you understand now?
He is a decent player, that has done extremely well over the years to adjust to an UNFIMILIAR role. Granted he doesn’t look like the most skilful of players, but neither do most playing that role.
He’s young, can tackle and pass with great consistantcy…
We didn’t pay £25m for him so he’s no essien… But who is?
Support the players who give all the club, don’t hate on them.
When we finished 2nd, in games where gerrard and alonso were not playing… Who was holding the fort?
It’s the fan kuyt syndrome :s
I wonder if people would be thinking differently if it was a young English Midfielder…if Jay Spearing played like Lucas…it is likely that the FACT he has one of the highest rates for pass completion AND tackles made would be highlighted, as would the FACT that he has contributed goals and assists from a deep position.
Lucas is a box to box midfielder…a bit like a skoda…reliable and good engine…the problem is the perception people have of him…quite frankly thats their problem…
Wut? Alonso made 31 league appearances for LFC in 2008-2009, he was instrumental for us that year.
Lucas was nothing of the sort, your chattin bubbles lad.
It’s me – sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not sure what your point is mate, as Lucas played 25 premier league games the season we finished 2nd!
And I think you will find he played in most of the big four clashes that season, less the 2-1 home win v the mancs!
My point you don’t play in such an important position on the pitch 25 times without being exposed … We finished 2nd!
I’m sorry but to have stats that have been CLEARLY stated in this very good article, over 10 games it’s understandable, but after 35 prem games… It’s an unbelievable stat and that with all the negative comments he’s received over the yrs… He has to be respected for this.
The sooner people start to learn and understand what a holding midfielder does, the sooner he will be getting the credit he deserves…
He a DESTROYER… He breaks up play and passes to the ball closest PLAY-MAKER.
I mean if makalele was judged by the same rules you judge lucas, he would never of reached the level of acclaim he has.
Great point by miereles 😀
If he was English they would be slapping stats in our faces and calling for him to be world player if the year! Lol
Then you wonder why us wanting Scott Parker makes me laugh…
What a joke!
Why Lucas is NOT good:
There’s no need to look into stats and what not. Just look at how he plays:
1. He marks his own team mates when defending.
2. He marks opponents AND team mates when attacking.
3. Gets easily dispossessed by slight shoulder to shoulder.
4. Doesn’t really look to find space; shadows Gerrard all the time.