Liverpool
How Important Is Lucas Leiva To Liverpool?
A look at the importance of Liverpool’s injured Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva and how his absence has affected them. Also includes a video of his best bits
Yeah, that lad who everyone slated a few years ago. Lucas Leiva has been criticised by so many people and even now some fans are not convinced.
Ever since he shifted from a more attacking midfield role to a defensive role he has been outrageous and has saved us so many times, especially this season before he got injured.
At the start of the season when Steven Gerrard wasn’t playing he was often paired with Charlie Adam. Now, don’t get me wrong Adam can be good at times particularly with his passing, but this fails him, a lot! He also cannot defend which is why Lucas was so important, Lucas was doing the defensive work of two people but never really got the plaudits.
When I saw him run 40 yards against Wolves and make a brilliant tackle when we were 2-1 up I realised how important he is, especially in the big games like against Chelsea, he kept Mata quiet the whole game. We really miss Lucas and when I see us linked with players like Keita it shows we are weak defensively in the centre without the Brazilian. Keita would be the perfect back-up and is a decent player, but he would never knock Lucas out the team.
My ideal central midfield partnership would be Gerrard and Lucas, with Stevie having the free role behind the striker and Lucas as an anchorman, holding the midfield. This leaves Stevie the freedom to do what he does best and know that he has a brilliant player behind him preventing counter attacks if the ball is lost.
What is also important about Lucas’s play is that he really gets about, he doesn’t defend too narrowly; he will come out wide and help the full backs whist also covering the centre and often nullifying the oppositions best creative players. We miss you Lucas, and here’s why!
