July 2007, a 20 year old young Brazilian called Lucas Leiva was signed from Gremio by Rafa Benitez for £5million. A player who certainly wasn’t very well known on these shores, Reds fans mainly relied on his pedigree for being Brazilian footballer of the year in 2006 and Rafa Benitez’s words on his signing:
“I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future and [we] believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England.”
It is fair to say that most Reds fans were expecting a flair player, who could create goals as well as score them, but it became quickly apparent this was not going to be the case. Here lies why Lucas had to face such stinging criticism in his early years. He wasn’t what people were expecting.
Some of this was due to the fact he hadn’t settled into English football yet but a lot of it was due to the fact Rafa decided to convert the player into a holding midfield player. This wasn’t Lucas’s fault and history will show Rafa was right to persist with his conversion, but during that time, it must have been very difficult for the Brazilian to cope.
He showed tremendous mental fortitude though and it is a testament to his character that he never once questioned himself. His mental toughness was to be rewarded later but for a time he was the scapegoat for Liverpool’s problems on the pitch. I myself, wasn’t immune to criticising him, as for a great deal of time it wasn’t clear what he offered the team.
A lot of this came to a head at the start of the 2009/10 season with Xabi Alonso sold and Alberto Aquilani injured. Lucas played alongside Mascherano and many felt that Lucas should be the one with the more attacking intent, going back to his record in Brazil. Again, it goes back to the fact that the Brazilian wasn’t what fans were expecting.
He began to prosper at the end of that season, but it was after the departure of Javier Mascherano, that he finally showed why he was in the starting eleven. He blossomed as a defensive midfield player on his own, and came out of Mascherano’s shadow. Playing as the lone holding midfielder at times too also made him more immune to criticism to some who were using him to attack Rafa Benitez’s philosophy of playing two holding midfielders. Once the Rafa haters were replaced by King Kenny’s Kopites though, it was clear that Lucas had become an integral member of the first team.
This season has been no different and he has had former critics eating their words, as well receiving praise from nearly every quarter, even on Sky Sports where the likes of Jamie Redknapp are even quick to mention his contribution to matches, such as against Bolton on Saturday. How 4 years can change a man and his image. Well done Lucas.
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A living example on how we should handle difficulties in life. Thanks Lucas n We are proud to have you in our team
Legend
i never took to him at first because i thought he was awful – and he was,he improved to be a decent player and i thought he was getting unfair criticism – and he was, he has now blossomed into a quality player and i think he is great – and he is.
i should add he is a lad with a magnificent attiude.
The amazing thing is there are still some people knocking him. he is now a ‘must’ for every game. When fit, he now has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, probably alongside Reina. he has become indispensible. I’ve heard some people suugesting he’ll be dropped when Stevie G is fit. There were even some saying he’d be sold during this window. Complete rubbish. When Stevie is fit, he’ll have to move to the right. We won’t drop Adam and Lucas is a must.
I am glad to say that I can claim that I was never ever a detractor of Lucas simply because the Opta stats ALWAYS proved he was doing a great job for Liverpool. Unfortunately, too many people did not believe the stats or just ignored them. Well done Lucas for believing in yourself and finally winning MOST of the fans round, because unfortunately, there are STILL some detractors who simply repeat the crap that the mis-informed journalists still spout.
All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas.All hail lucas..
Well done Lucas and well done Rafa for seeing something in Lucas that many others didn’t see at first.