1. Being called up by Brazil, unfortunately, means fuck all these days. They have one of the weakest squads ever at the time. In fact, I can't remember any worse squad they had in my lifetime.
2. He is unlucky that he is competing for a place in the strongest area of Liverpool. Liverpool's midfield is the only part where the team does not need anything more. That's why such quality players like Hamman were sold.
3. Rafa has problem of giving opportunities to youngsters. Without practice, their confidence gets low and they worsen. Pongolle improved only thanks to matches. Babel, Pacheco, Bruna, Lucas, Leto will all turn shit, if not given chance in proper times.
In fact, when I watch him, he absolutely does not seem an attacking midfielder. Nor I would imagine him to be a former captain of Brazil U20 side. It seems, he already went backwards.
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Lucas didn't use his chances properly either, to be fair. He was nothing special against Marseille. I dunno, I fail to see making him into first team. Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano are relatively young players.