He has already been named this site’s player of the season for Liverpool, and I am sure the official one will be soon to follow, but watching last night’s match against Fulham, we again saw another dimension to Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva. The 24 year old has been praised for both his ability to break up play this season, as well as the ability to find a team-mate when in possession, but I haven’t really taken as much notice about the latter as I have the former.
Some Reds fans have quoted stats about Lucas having the best pass completion ratio among any Liverpool player this season, and although I have acknowledged this fact, I have never really taken much notice of the statistic before today as stats can be used to prove anything. I have assumed that Lucas’s high pass completion ratio has been due to the fact that he takes fewer risks with his passing and generally plays the ball simply to team-mates rather than attempting a tricky through ball,
If you looked at last night’s match however, Lucas’s passing range was truly something to appreciate. For sure, Fulham’s defence was at sixes and sevens for most of the first half, but you still have to capitalise on the space provided, and Lucas effectively created the first two goals with defence splitting passes for Suarez and Johnson.
With only seconds on the clock, Lucas looked up and saw one of the many sharp runs Luis Suarez would make all night, and picked him out expertly. The Uruguayan ran into the box, had his cross blocked and it fell into the path of the in-form Maxi Rodriguez, who slotted the ball away within 31 seconds. For the second goal, the Brazilian holding midfielder was again at the centre of things, this time, rather than Suarez; he picked out one of Glen Johnson’s forward runs. The England defender then crossed perfectly for Maxi who slotted away his second of the game easily, within the first ten minutes. In the first 20 minutes, Lucas seemed a big threat from deep with the ball at feet and he would go on to put through Raul Meireles on goal, only for the Portuguese man not to take the ball in his stride.
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I’d actually say one of his best balls was the one he looped over the top for Flanagan, just gets overlooked a bit as there was no end product. The more I see of lucas, the more I appreciate his influence in the team. His confidence is sky high at the moment, long may it continue.
One of his best features in recent games has ben helping out the young full backs when they have been put under pressure, the best example being against Arsenal & Newcastle.
I always new that, Lucas will come good, he is not only brazilian but, a Brazil international, is he not?, so how some people did not keep faith really amazing!.
Lucas – if your reading this blog then i’ll go on record and apologise for the abuse we gave you in your first few seasons. Still young and new to the english game you deserved the benefit of the doubt and the time to settle. Sorry !
On the next point – congratulations on a magnificent season – a season that started off collectively on a low but u have been the flag bearer when others around you were not – well done on holding ur head high in adversity from us fans, well done on coming through and being a stronger person, and all carried out by you with dignity and decorum ‘the Liverpool Way’
Well done your an asset to our famous club.
YNWA
well done lad, it takes a man to man up to a mistake.
as for Lucas, you are a red and a legend YNWA
Liverpool may have given up on Lucas earlier on………..but remember he never gave up on us and look where he is now………boy has got class
FOR ME… LUCAS IS A GOOD GLADIATOR .. in 2 more years he will come good.. he is 1st choise for first XI than spearing.. he good partner with gerrard and meireles..
but something we must know.. gerrard and meireles too old and he will retired in 2 or 3 years.. look at spearing and jonjo after that.
another factor are kyut and maxi.. they was come around 30`s and they have same factor with gerrard and carra. in 2 years we will lose 2 experiense player for team.
2-3 years future player :
……………..gulasci……………..
……..kelly….cahill…..enrique……
downing…..spearing…lucas(c)…..young
………..suarez……mata…………..
…………….caroll……………….
sub : johnson,flano,robo,wilson
coady, wisdom
pacheco, jonjo, sterling
susso
Thankfully, you are not the Liverpool manager
I agree with DAVE, sorry MAN, you need to go and watch some football, cause you’re lacking there!.
MAN…or shall we call you HODGSON???, because you ain’t got a clue MAN!