Picture the scene. Liverpool, mounting a realistic Premier League title challenge for the first time in six years, are playing host to Fulham at Anfield, knowing that a win could take them two points clear of league leaders Chelsea. The Reds face the Cottagers well aware of the visitors’ travel-sickness, with Roy Hodgson’s side having picked up just two points in six away games.
Unfortunately the early morning optimism dissipates, and the afternoon proves to be a frustrating one for the Anfield faithful. Despite Fernando Torres’ return to the starting line-up, a resolute Fulham hold Liverpool to a draw and cost the Reds two crucial points.
Lucas Leiva, curiously selected to deputise for the absent Steven Gerrard, is booed by a small section of the Anfield crowd and made a scapegoat for the side’s impotency. The 21-year-old, who has endured a tough time in L4 since arriving in the summer of 2007, has struggled to make an impact and frequently finds himself behind fan favourites Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in the midfield pecking order.
Fast forward to the penultimate week of May 2011 and neither Alonso nor Mascherano sports the Liver bird on their chest any more. Both components of this once-feared midfield-axis have moved on to pastures new; Alonso to Real Madrid, and Mascherano to Barcelona. Meanwhile, Lucas, once a perennially mocked and derided figure, has been named the Standard Chartered Fans player of the year after tallying 40 per cent of the 129,774 votes cast.
Speaking about the award to the club’s official website, he said: “I wouldn’t have expected this (in my first season). The way I started my career at Liverpool wasn’t the easiest, but as I have said before, I wouldn’t change anything.
“The difficult times just made me stronger and stronger and I tried to improve all the time. That’s what I am doing now.”
The issuing of the award caps a fairytale-esque turnaround for Liverpool’s number 21. No longer a byword for mediocrity, the reliable Brazilian has worked hard to establish himself as a key player in Liverpool’s starting XI.
The former Gremio man, effectively tasked with replacing Mascherano and Alonso, has incorporated elements of both of his former team-mates’ games into his own.
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Go Lucas go…
Good artical.
I have writen in here several times in the past that Lucas is getting better and better and has been one of the very few players who could hold his head up high with his performances over the last couple of seasons. It amazes me that there are still people out there knocking him and saying (willing even) that his good form won’t last.
All I have to say to these people is go and support chelski or the sh*te over the other side of Stanley park if you insist on being such a bunch of *****