---
title: "OTD: Lucas Leiva’s Liverpool career gets underway"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/otd-lucas-leivas-liverpool-career-gets-underway/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-11T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-11T16:00:00Z"
---

# OTD: Lucas Leiva’s Liverpool career gets underway

On this day (May 11) in 2007, [Lucas Leiva](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2019/12/28/liverpool-fans-love-lucas-leivas-reaction-to-arnold-statistic/) began what was to be a [decade-long](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/262932-a-decade-at-lfc-21-facts-about-lucas-leiva-s-reds-career) [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/11/virals-jamie-carragher-omits-liverpool-players-from-mnf-awards/) career.

The flowing locked Brazilian midfielder arrived on Merseyside as a 20-year-old from boyhood club Grêmio for a reported £5.4million ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-leiva/transfers/spieler/41414)).

Having arrived on the back of [captaining his nations Under 20 team](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/12/newsstory.sport4) there was much intrigue as to what the youngster was capable of producing.

With the added [seal of approval](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6653123.stm) from South American football expert Tim Vickery, then manager Rafael Benitez must’ve believed the Reds had a real gem on their hands.

> Twitter: #OnThisDay in 2007, @LucasLeiva87 became a Red ![🔴](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f534.svg)
>
> He went on to play 346 games for us ![🙌](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f64c.svg) https://t.co/7GUUVlQeSj (@LFC)

After a debut appearance in a [4-0 home win](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6963463.stm) over Toulouse in a UEFA Champions League qualifier, Lucas went on to represent the club with distinction on [346 occasions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-leiva/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/41414).

Despite being heralded for his ‘blistering shots from range’ following his arrival, the box to box midfielder only [found the net seven times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-leiva/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/41414/verein/31) during his Anfield stay.

Albeit perhaps not the dazzling creative force many had expected or indeed hoped for, Lucas was a superb servant to the football club, albeit badly hit by a [cruel injury blow](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/01/lucas-leiva-liverpool-ligament-damage) in 2011.

Eventually [sold in 2017](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/lazio-sign-liverpool-midfielder-lucas_sto6257923/story.shtml) to Italian Serie A side Lazio, the now 34-year-old has played [34 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-leiva/leistungsdaten/spieler/41414) in all competitions this season.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Lucas will be [forever held in high regard](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/lucas-leiva-leaving-liverpool-was-toughest-decision-ive-ever-had-make) by Kopites for his commitment, endeavour and work rate, qualities that are often hard to come by in the modern era.

Perhaps a player worthy of cult hero status, the [22-cap Brazil man](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-leiva/nationalmannschaft/spieler/41414/verein_id/3439) will be able to retire one day knowing his playing legacy is fondly remembered by the Anfield faithful.