Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes it would be a “great loss” if Luis Suarez left Anfield this summer. He told Radio Grenal: “Luis Suarez has influenced many matches for us, and is a player, if he leaves, who would be a great loss.” To lose Luis Suarez would be a huge blow to Liverpool, that is stating the obvious. However, Liverpool will rebuild, as they always do. The key to that rebuilding is Lucas Leiva.
The club rewarded Lucas with a new contract back in April, underlining his significance to Brendan Rodgers. After battling the doubters during the difficult start he had at Anfield, he has become a fans favourite whilst also establishing himself as one of the Reds’ most pivotal midfielders. There are not many footballers who endure the significant injuries he has had, and come back into a side with such a flair and presence to their game. His long term injury absence during Kenny Dalglish’s reign coincided with the teams general decline in performance. It was a turbulent time for the Reds, but an even more turbulent time for Lucas, who had to sit out for six months after arguably the best spell in his career, with dynamic and consistent performances.
Brendan Rodgers arrived and bought in Joe Allen, which would have most certainly put doubts in Lucas’ mind. After suffering another agonising setback in the warm up for the Manchester City game on August 26th, Lucas eventually returned to action in early December and showed just how important he is to a rebuilding Liverpool side. Joe Allen failed to impress in the absence of the Brazilian and looked out of his depth at times, especially defensively, an area where Liverpool clearly struggled conceding 18 goals in the first 15 games of the season. Lucas imposed his authority in the side from the moment returned against Southampton. Right at the centre of the controlled display, his determined pressing and experienced reading of the game helped Liverpool regain and retain the ball. Liverpool finished the season in style, with Lucas starting nearly every game. Had he been there from the start, a greater push for Europe would surely have been on the cards.
Lucas’ position at the heart of the midfield provides safety to the more technical players allowing them to focus on breaking forward rather than recycling possession. He adds a balance to the side that is often absent when the trio of midfielders Rodgers deploys does not include him. His anchoring of the team tends to allow the players around him more freedom and more ability to create chances. We’ve seen this in the second half of the season, with Coutinho having the time and space to create brilliant opportunities.
As we know, Rodgers’ style of play focuses heavily on ball retention and a sense of patience, something that Lucas has grown up with. At his former club Gremio he was used as a creative attacking midfielder, a role which allowed him to develop his vision and attacking passes as well as helping the technical side of his game improve. When he moved to a defensive midfielder after his arrival at Liverpool, his controlled passing naturally improved. The team builds around him. The players know exactly where he will be. And of course, he adds a lot to the team defensively with his superb tackling rate.
In a fantastic interview with Chris Bascombe in The Telegraph, the Brazilian spoke of his serene upbringing and love of farming. He expresses a level of maturity that every player strives for and finds the perfect balance between football and life off the field. Lucas couldn’t be happier in Liverpool, he loves the city, the people, and the club. His personality complements his football, but it is his football that makes him key to Liverpool’s push for Champions League.
At just 26 years of age, he is at the forefront of the Liverpool team. Having been at the club since 2007, he knows the meaning of Liverpool. He’s worked alongside Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher for long enough to realise the proud aura of the club. Lucas has been through trauma at Liverpool, but still he stands out as a crucial part to Rodgers’ plans. He is arguably back to his very best after arriving back from injury in expert fashion and will only continue to improve. He knows English football as well as anybody and for me, is the axis to rebuilding at Liverpool.
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