Lucas Leiva could still have a future at Liverpool despite reports that a move to Turkish side Besiktas was imminent.
The Brazilian was a surprise inclusion in the Reds’ starting XI against Arsenal on Monday.
According to The Telegraph, the 28-year-old was set to fly out to Istanbul to complete a loan switch to the Super Lig side with a view to making the transfer permanent.
Despite knowing that Lucas could be involved against Arsenal, Besiktas were still hoping to complete the deal – but now Jason Burt says the move is ‘in doubt’.
When asked about the defensive midfielder after Monday’s goalless draw, Rodgers said:
Lucas is our best defensive midfield player we have. There are games in which I will pay three midfield players and not always want a specific defensive one.
“But when we do need that, he’s the best that we have. He came in at Arsenal and did a great job, and is very much part of what we want to do.
“Of course, every player wants to play every minute of every game and you can never guarantee that as a manager.”
After the arrival of James Milner, Lucas slipped down the pecking order and didn’t even make the matchday squad for the games against Stoke City and Bournemouth respectively.
But he played 76 minutes at the Emirates, and with skipper Jordan Henderson struggling with injury, the Ulsterman is now looking to keep hold of the 28-year-old:
“He is certainly very important to what we want to do, and is highly respected by myself, the coaching staff and the players.”
