Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva had his best game in a Liverpool shirt against Chelsea on Sunday. Writing in his column in the Liverpool Daily Post, Lawro said:
“There were a lot of people walking away from Anfield feeling very satisfied on Sunday night – but I bet there a few feeling a bit embarrassed too. Lucas has been made something of a scapegoat at times in his Liverpool career and has come in for a lot of stick. Quite often getting all the stick. And I’m not saying I’ve ever been his biggest fan either. But credit to the lad for taking all that on the chin and being determined and bloody-minded enough to prove people wrong. They are the qualities that this Liverpool side need more than any others right now and Lucas’ performance against Chelsea embodied that. It was the best I’ve ever seen him play. I know Michael Essien and Frank Lampard were missing but to make Chelsea’s three midfield players looks so ordinary takes some doing. His energy and ability to press the ball was something they couldn’t handle and he’s using possession so much better now as well.”
Lawrenson believes the Brazilian is thriving under the responsibility of marshalling the Reds midfield:
“It’s quite a transformation and I put it down to the fact that, rather than benefiting from having more experienced and talented players round him, it always held Lucas back. Firstly, he came in and was assumed to be a replacement for Xabi Alonso, which wasn’t fair because he was already at the club, he wasn’t brought in when the Spaniard left.Then he seemed to be in the shadow of Javier Mascherano, especially when Rafael Benitez’s tactic of two holding midfield players came under fire. Many wondered why Lucas had to be in there. But now, rather than be intimidated by the fact that he has the responsibility of marshalling the central midfield area, he is thriving on the challenge – and I’m absolutely delighted for him.”
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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Told you all Lucas was getting stronger! We do need to keep him and get rid of Poulsen! Would also prefer Milan to play up front with Fernando jus like Kyut did!
I never ever thought i’d say this but at the moment Liverpool’s best lineup consists of Gerrard and Lucas in the middle . He’s certainly got until January to prove that Woy can blow all his money on other parts of the squad , striker ,wingers and left back . WELL DONE LUCAS !!!
Mark talks alot of rubiish 90% of the time, but i am right behind him on this one. Lucas is growing into a very decent player. He takles and these days very seldomly gives the ball away, his passing game has improved alot too.
Being so young he will only improve.
Also agree with ‘smart’ i think milan would play well with torres upfront put miereles on the bench and play kuyt on the right.
Lawrenson has been incorrect on many things in the last 18 months and the criticism of Lucas is just one of those. Very clueless for someone who gets payed for his views.
why would any real fans feel embarrassed about criticising him in the past??
He wasn’t deserving of his guaranteed starters berth last season, but has become more assertive in his role and stepped up his performances to warrant his starting place now!
Thats a fair point, most people kind of knew he had it in him, the frustration and criticism comes when it doesnt get shown.
as far as what rassell is saying about putting miereles on the bench, are we watching the same player? he’s been fantastic the past few games, particularly against chelsea…im just waiting for him to bag his first in front of the Kop!
Why do people insist on seeing Milan Jovanovich play upfront? If he was good enough he would be playing. Clearly the Lad is not good enough to play in that position or he would be playing there. We need to buy a striker in January reasons being Babbel, Milan, Pachecco, and Kuyt and anyone else for that matter (apart from Gerrard who is needed in midfield anyway) are not good enough to have a regular starting place upfront next to torres
David Shamash – ppl keep making these statements that if certain players are good enough in certain positions, then they’d be playing in that position, but this is clearly not true.
Just because Meireles can’t get a start in the centre of midfield does not mean that he is a good winger, or that he is not a good centre midfielder. Or that Agger could not get a start at centre-back does not mean that he was not good enough and had become a better centre back. Or Johnson never having a chance in midfield for us does not mean that he couldn’t do a better job on the wing than the likes of Kuyt, Maxi, Meireles etc.
Manager’s just have their own ideas sometimes (which often defy logic) and that’s all there is to it