Author Topic: How Lucas Leiva became a Liverpool player (Read 57812 times)

R.A.La · « **Reply #80 on:** December 31, 2010, 05:59:48 pm »

"good glue to bind them"

Gareth that sums him up perfectly.

I see him as the perfect modern midfielder. You can see him darting around covering for everyone, always making himself available for a pass and linking the defence and midfield.

Early in his career with us I think his biggest problem was actually getting the ball off his own teamates,(Carra and Masch were probably the worst culprits) but now he seems to be more and more trusted.

He should be the fulcrum of the team, dictating the tempo of the play, Just because it's not a "Hollywood" pass, doesn't mean it's a negative pass.
Lucas is an excellent passer of the ball, not flashy but he keeps the ball moving and is deadly accurate, has great vision, great positional sense and is good in the air. He has now added strength to his game. The only thing he lacks is goals, he is well capable of 10 per season.

He does what it says on the can.

Sorry for rambling (stella kicking in)

Danyaals Kop · « **Reply #81 on:** December 31, 2010, 06:17:23 pm »

Still improving but excelled alot in the past year... Nice bit of research this.

dgoh · « **Reply #82 on:** December 31, 2010, 06:21:23 pm »

The thing with Lucas is, he will surely get better and better, not because he's young, but because of his attitude. His awareness and movement off the ball has always been great right from the start, and to be honest for him to come in to fill Xabi Alonso boots is no easy task, not to mention that both have different abilities and play differently.

If Babel had the mental toughness and attitude that Lucas has, there's no doubt he'll be thrice the player he is today.

Great post by the way!

Sangria · « **Reply #83 on:** December 31, 2010, 06:48:25 pm »

Quote from: Gareth on December 31, 2010, 03:47:07 pm

The point guz is making and that you seem to have missed is that a successful side does not need to be packed from 1-11 with superstar names.

Really good OP. Could have used Darren Fletcher as a similar example. Lambasted and scapegoated early in his career but now an important and well respected player for them. Would he get into a Milan side? Or Barca? Or Real? Possibly not but that argument alone does not negate his usefulness to Utd.

We need more matchwinning players and more creativity. An intelligent player like Lucas would be good glue to bind them.

I'd have Lucas ahead of Spackman and Insua ahead of Ablett in the 5-0 Forest side.

Roy of the rovers · « **Reply #84 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:10:47 pm »

Quote from: lachesis on December 31, 2010, 01:51:07 pm

If there is one player who epitomises what a Liverpool player is it is Lucas, at a time when there is a streak of petulance and attitude running through the more senior ranks. With the new strategy, it wouldn’t surprise me if Lucas becomes the very epitome of the future of our club, and his story will hopefully galvanise the support in taking a step back when other players are brought in that don’t have an immediate impact.

Kudos to you and Lucas for this. Lucas, Kuyt and Reina are our best professionals IMO.

Julio · « **Reply #85 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:27:26 pm »

Lucas will always have his detractors.

It's a question of stubbornness on the part of those who gloried in the fact that he was having a rough time of it. The "I made my mind up and that's the end of it" brigade who'd rather a Liverpool player did badly so their own opinions could be respected, rather than actually seeing one of their own do the business, and the team get better in the process.

I have a few mates like that. They decided he was shite at the beginning (when anyone could see during that Derby that he had bags of potential), mocked those who rated him and couldn't wait until he was sold to some Championship team. Now, they're like all the other detractors. Nervously biting their nails watching him, willing him, to fail - and cursing silently at every pinpoint pass, every well-timed tackle and every intelligent run. If there's one mistake, he's shite again.

They're the same people who see the likes of Gerrard having the season he's having, refuse to criticise him for his shocking play and then, when he makes an aggressive sliding tackle or something, pipe up with the "he's the best player on our team by miles, get him into centre mid" bollocks propagated by sky.

Lucas doesn't score bags of goals and he isn't a lunatic in the Mascherano mould. Maybe that's why he's despised by some clowns. But he's the future, and it's a bright one. Keep it going Lucas.

new-red · « **Reply #86 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:45:19 pm »

I love Lucas but I bemoan the fact that the level of his performances are contingent on how his teammates play. He has been, at the very least, good in almost all of the games, and a few times like chelsea(h) were he was excellent because the whole team raised there game that day.

I believe he feels like he doesn't have the authority to control games and really impose himself. However, I don't think that is his style. To me Lucas thinks of himself as just a cog in the machine. He does his job to the best of his ability and expects the same from his teammates. This is evident in is indiscriminate passing style. If a player is in space then he is getting the ball no matter if its konchesky or poulsen or Carra or torres. He passes then moves.

Once our team starts adapting a more fluid possession oriented game he will progress to another level as we will be playing to his strengths completely.

Junkle · « **Reply #87 on:** December 31, 2010, 08:22:38 pm »

1st of all I would say bravo. Well researched and written piece of work.

Quote: sneakyg:
Lucas is not a good enough footballer for us, regardless of his attitude, limited development in past season etc, I have not seen enough to suggest that he will be anything better than an average player.

He would not get into another top european midfields starting team in my opinion.

He has played well for him in a few games this season, but id have loads of other premiership midfielders over him - players that no one would want us to purchase or re-purchase.

End of quote---

1. Who in our team can get into a top European team in positions they currently play and which team would that be?
2. Give me just two playuer in prem leaque better than him at what he does? Some stats earlier this year showed. That him and $Masch were leading tacklers and distributers of the ball once won.
3. Which games has he played badly if he hs only played well in just a few?
4. Give me just two 23 year olds in Euro better than him at what he does.

Myths and stereotypes are what led us to our present predicament.

Dirkydirkdirk · « **Reply #88 on:** December 31, 2010, 08:34:39 pm »

Great OP. I never understood the stick Lucas got over the last few years considering his age (see also Ngog, Insua etc.).

I think that the way that our midfield is set up really suits him now. A couple of years ago we had three specialists in Xabi (passer) Masch (destroyer) and Stevie (attacker) and if Lucas was asked to deputize in any of those roles then he would struggle. His passing is not as good as Xabi's but he is a better tackler and better in the air. He is not as tough as Masch but is a better passer of the ball and more creative. He is not as good going forward as Stevie but has better positional sense and sacrifices himself more.

The same is true of Raul Merieles and that is why they seem to have gelled so well in the middle. It is also why putting Stevie back into the middle alongside either of them doesn't work as well (though that is probably for another thread).

Box · « **Reply #89 on:** January 1, 2011, 02:51:50 am »

absolute beast of a post.

am proud to say i have supported lucas through the thick and thin. some people actually know me as the lucas girl

top top man and a good player and i hope he is at the club for years to come

theblackhumor · « **Reply #90 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:16:44 am »

At the moment he's a good player, tidy on the ball with brilliant workrate and his professional attitude. Even if he does not develop and stays at the level he is right now, he would still be a very very good squad player.

If he does go one level up, he will definitely cement that first team spot for years to come.

conman · « **Reply #91 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:22:18 am »

excellent write-up Lachesis.

PJG · « **Reply #92 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:56:07 am »

To be honest, I wouldn't be suprised if he becomes captain of Brazil in a few years. He's the most important part of our (and their) team in my opinion. The link between defense and attack.

llcooljoel · « **Reply #93 on:** January 1, 2011, 08:17:40 am »

Great article and fast becoming my one of my favourite players at the club. I honestly think, and others might disagree depending on their prejudice, that Rafa bought Lucas with a view to developing a complete midfielder who could dominate in the same way as Essien. Playing him in a holding role was to build his strength and defensive qualities to add to his undoubted attacking ability. Plus his Twitter account suggests he has the humble personality of an Alonso which is a massive strength these days. You kids with your music....

IndianaRed · « **Reply #94 on:** January 1, 2011, 08:20:11 am »

Nice post. Well-told. Always been a fan of Lucas' and always had confidence in him. Glad a lot of people are coming round to him now and I and others don't have to defend him all the time.

tbeavan · « **Reply #95 on:** January 1, 2011, 11:56:40 am »

The problem that a lot of fans have about Lucas is that he is/was not a big name signing. He was signed with potential and we're seeing that. People want marquee signings but under FSG we're just not going to do that. Look at Darren Fletcher at the Manc, he's not a bad player but was brought through from youth.

Tis the way forwards.

Elzar · « **Reply #96 on:** January 1, 2011, 11:59:11 am »

Would love to have seen how Lucas would of been viewed had Neville not handballed it, and stopped him scoring when he came on for Gerrard in the derby.

Spanish Al · « **Reply #97 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:49:01 pm »

How the fuck did he miss that? Come on Lucas lad, you're better than that.

Didi_ram · « **Reply #98 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:49:49 pm »

Poor poor miss!
It could have lifted our team big time.

abhred · « **Reply #99 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:50:22 pm »

Poor miss. Still been our best player though.

Fitzy. · « **Reply #100 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:50:52 pm »

Quote from: Didi_ram on January 1, 2011, 03:49:49 pm

Poor poor miss!
It could have lifted our team big time.

Miss of the season

G1 Jockey 4(betfair) · « **Reply #101 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:51:42 pm »

oh oh i suspect the scapegoaters will be out in force now

gallden · « **Reply #102 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:52:01 pm »

Sell Lucas. He's rubbish

Cadno · « **Reply #103 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:52:20 pm »

Dreadful miss but now watch the boo boys come back out

Breitner · « **Reply #104 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:52:28 pm »

Quote from: Spanish Al on January 1, 2011, 03:49:01 pm

How the fuck did he miss that? Come on Lucas lad, you're better than that.

You sure? His goal record is abysmal. He's improved recently but he's still way below the standard we demand at this club.

stevieG786 · « **Reply #105 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:52:32 pm »

sitter!

gallden · « **Reply #106 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:01 pm »

Quote from: G1 Jockey 4(betfair) on January 1, 2011, 03:51:42 pm

oh oh i suspect the scapegoaters will be out in force now

Like Roy you mean?

JohnHobbes · « **Reply #107 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:02 pm »

Sheesh, why are people posting about a bad miss in this thread??

It's a thread about how he became a Liverpool player and not a place to bash him for a miss regardless how bad it was...

Keens · « **Reply #108 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:05 pm »

What a miss...sitter if ever there was one, nevetheless he is playing well

JasbinderX · « **Reply #109 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:35 pm »

He's the systmatic route of why we are in this predicimant.

A very average player. Played well a few weeks back against Spurs, but has sinse returned to usual safe side passes.

Our expectations are so low if some of are rating Lucas.

Not funny reecehenebry · « **Reply #110 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:41 pm »

He is playing very well.

Didi_ram · « **Reply #111 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:49 pm »

Apart from the miss,he has been good.

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #112 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:53:55 pm »

Quote from: JohnHobbes on January 1, 2011, 03:53:02 pm

Sheesh, why are people posting about a bad miss in this thread??

It's a thread about how he became a Liverpool player and not a place to bash him for a miss regardless how bad it was...

Amen. And again, he has been our best player so far.

Fitzy. · « **Reply #113 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:54:03 pm »

Quote from: G1 Jockey 4(betfair) on January 1, 2011, 03:51:42 pm

oh oh i suspect the scapegoaters will be out in force now

I think there's a guy in the dugout who may divert the attention any anti-Lucas sentiment.

JohnHobbes · « **Reply #114 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:54:25 pm »

Quote from: Breitner on January 1, 2011, 03:52:28 pm

You sure? His goal record is abysmal. He's improved recently but he's still way below the standard we demand at this club.

How many goals did Alonso score? Was he way below the standard we demand at this club?

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #115 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:54:46 pm »

Quote from: JasbinderX on January 1, 2011, 03:53:35 pm

He's the systmatic route of why we are in this predicimant.

A very average player. Played well a few weeks back against Spurs, but has sinse returned to usual safe side passes.

Our expectations are so low if some of are rating Lucas.

Any chance you can stay away from Lucas threads? We know your opinion, you don't need to keep repeating it. Ta.

Shooter · « **Reply #116 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:55:14 pm »

He had a very solid first half but I bet that miss (which was admittedly a bad one) is what the 'Lucas haters' will focus on.

Roy of the rovers · « **Reply #117 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:56:08 pm »

Quote from: JasbinderX on January 1, 2011, 03:53:35 pm

He's the systmatic route of why we are in this predicimant.

A very average player. Played well a few weeks back against Spurs, but has sinse returned to usual safe side passes.

Our expectations are so low if some of are rating Lucas.

Go home.. nobody is interested in your idiotic comments...

He's a 'very average' player that captained Brazil's under 21 side, that now plays as a regular for Brazil, and has been our best performer this season.

lfc ant · « **Reply #118 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:56:13 pm »

What a miss!! Apart from "that miss" hes played well though. Suspect that the Lucas bashers will be out in force once again, unfortunately.

sneakyg · « **Reply #119 on:** January 1, 2011, 03:56:25 pm »

That miss sumed up lucas

not good enough