If there was ever an example for how to win over a set of supporters, it has to be that of Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva. Often the Brazilian found himself as a scapegoat waiting to happen, with the fans bemoaning every single mistake made, whilst missing almost all of his positive contributions to the team. Now with the midfield anchor-man enduring a lengthy spell on the side-lines due to injury, it’s becoming clear just how important he is to the Reds cause.
Signed under the reign of Rafa Benitez, Lucas arrived at Anfield with a reputation as a creative, goal-scoring midfielder, the sort of player to excite all fans, during the optimism of pre-season. The Spaniard had to battle some of Europe’s elite clubs to secure the long-haired Brazilian from Gremio, eventually completing a £5 million deal in the summer of 2007. Initially everything appeared to go swimmingly for Lucas, as he broke into the first team by late November after a string of impressive displays from the bench, and became Liverpool’s first ever Brazilian goal-scorer, with a curling effort against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.
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However, it was in his second full season for the Merseysiders that things started to get a little more difficult. A long summer helping his country to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games took its toll on the young midfielder, forcing him to miss the start of the new campaign. Despite this Benitez had high hopes for his enforcer, insisting that he would push on, and cement his status within the Liverpool squad:
“This season he will improve because he is a very, very good professional and has experience of the Olympic Games.”
Despite this Lucas found his playing time to be limited due to the strength and form of Liverpool’s midfield in which he was competing with Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard for a spot in the centre of the park. Even during his fleeting outings he was unable to impress, culminating in being booed by his own supporters during a draw with Fulham.
The departure of Alonso in the summer of 2009 provided the turning point in Lucas’ Liverpool career, allowing him the opportunity to secure a starting spot within the Reds midfield. Although the campaign on the whole was one of disappointment for the Merseysiders, Lucas’ development into a capable holding midfielder was a shining light, as he matured into a first team regular. A status which he kept for the 2010/11 season, where he was voted Standard Chartered fans player of the season.
Now he finds himself as one of the key members of Kenny Dalglish’s midfield, where his current injury is having a major impact. Jay Spearing has been given the sizable shoes to fill, but his inexperience and over exuberance in the challenge have shown up just how important Lucas’ role within Liverpool engine room has become. It’s fair to say now that the 25-year-old is up their with the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard in terms of importance to the squad, especially in the big games, where his reading of the play has been key in disrupting the opposition and launching attacks.
Lucas hasn’t had the easiest of spells at the Liverpool, but his ability to keep his head down and ignore the ‘boo boys’ has seen him evolve into a truly quality performer. It may have taken a little time for him to discover his true position, but now settled and performing consistently the criticism he received for not being in the typical Brazilian mould looks even more unfair than it was at the time. Dalglish and Liverpool fans will be hoping and praying their midfielder can make a speedy recovery, as it becomes increasingly apparent just how much they miss him.
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