Jamie Carragher says Liverpool FC cannot afford to lose Lucas Leiva http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/jamie-carragher-says-liverpool-fc-8481450 Jamie Carragher has hailed the impact that Lucas Leiva is having on Liverpool FC’s recent revival - and says the Reds cannot afford to lose the midfielder. The Brazilian has been in excellent form in Liverpool’s midfield and the Reds must not sell him in January, according to Carragher. The ex-Liverpool defender explained on Monday Night Football: “He has had a big effect on the team and he’s got to stay there. There was talk of Inter Milan making a bid, or other clubs looking at him and I’m not sure how long he’s got left on his contract. He’s not only got to stay at the club but he’s also got to stay in the team because, at this moment, they are getting victories on the back of his performances. “If we go back to Liverpool’s defeat at Crystal Palace, where we were really critical of them, we said things had to change. “Liverpool are a different team this season, Steven Gerrard is the playmaker. They needed to get someone in midfield who could shield that defence, and from that day, in the following 10 league games, Lucas has been brought in. “If you look at the stats, the influence he has made has been noticeable to say the least. The one game that stands out is the Manchester United game, not because of the 3-0 defeat but because it was the one game Lucas didn’t play. Brendan Rodgers made a few changes and brought his technical players back into the team. "Gerrard is the playmaker and Lucas is completely different. He is a destructor in front of the defence and that’s what Liverpool needed. “He’s always thinking defensively and is aware of what’s going on around him, telling players to fill in for him when he vacates an area. He hasn’t got the passing ability or range of Gerrard but he breaks up play, makes simple passes forward and initiates counter attacks. “He was in midfield every time and, in the first half, Liverpool should have scored three or four goals on the break at Villa. “That is what he has brought into the team, and the results have improved massively since his inclusion.”
He's played well but I think we're seriously over-hyping his impact. He's the only DM we have at this club so by default, he needs to be playing. But our recent form has coincided with bringing in the likes of Can, Sakho and Markovic. We should be looking beyond him in the summer and getting a natural DM (remember, this wasn't Lucas's natural position) who can last for the full 90 mins. We have looked more solid with him in the team now that we have replaced Gerrard as the pivot.
I truly hope we don't sell him. We need two players for every position so need to add to him and provide competition for places!! You could argue that Can could be that player.
I think that at 28 his is on top of his game now that he's over the injuries, we have other areas of the team that need sorting and that DM role is not one of them. He'll more than do for me and Rodgers needs to make sure he keeps him as I'm sure he's still a bit hurt at the snub.
Can could play that role but I think I would prefer him as the box to box mid - ultimately, I think Can should replace Henderson because of his ability to carry the ball 30 yards with his powerful runs.
I think the player himself would want to leave if I'm honest, because of how he's been treated (mainly by the fans).
I've been banging on that we should play Lucas and Can together for a while but Hendo has done well in there with Lucas tbf. Can, Lucas and Hendo can all play in there and it gives us options.
Some fans have been critical and unfairly so imo as the lad had a couple of bad injuries and needed a bit of patience from us but it's Rodgers dropping him from the squad that will really hurt, lets hope he still wants to stay we need his experience.
I've seen nothing but respect for Lucas since he established himself. Sure we all questioned Rafa for persevering with him when he was learning the role and questioned it but that's quite some time ago!
He receives quite a lot of abuse online from idiots - and he does respond as well, which indicates he takes quite personally.
I don't agree with the sentiment. why? we can afford to lose ANY player cos they all age and leave. We can say.. we cannot afford to replace this type of player and thats a different argument. reality is lucas is not all that either... never was but he made the most of his talents but he was never maschernao let along alonso so he was the best we could have being a club falling apart and we were lucky to have him pre injury in the end. can't afford to lose him? may as well close the club down cos gerrard is leaving so.
This season, we cannot afford to lose him imo. Sell him and who takes his place? So yeah, it is a case of we can't afford to lose this type of player.....not without a better replacement and there's certainly no guarantee of that, especially mid season. The comment stands up; we can't afford to lose Lucas.
this window no cos we won't replace but thats the point. if it were may we'd move on. however seeing there's really no danger he is going then i find it generally a moot point. We might as well say we can't afford him to pick up an injury.. I'd say we can't afford to lose a number of the players on show to injury as we can't replace many eg. sahko.. only option is lovern. markovic... he's done well but manquillo is not good on the attack and johnson is johnson henderson... its just energy not on the ball but he is absolutely key to the press coutinho... vital to creativity just to quote a few not including lucas I elft out stelring as he took a 2 game break and we won the league game he missed. ut he'd be on the list. Lets face it without those it'd be lovern, allen, lambert, manquillo in and we'd be much worse off.
oh and ifinally..... you'd think carra would bother check facts. In 2013 lucas was signed up on a long term deal. he has at least 2/3 years left on it. i'm not worried about contract... i'm not worried in the slightest about rodgers letting him go either... and i am certainly not worried about him spitting the dummy.
I'd never keep any player based on sentiment, there is simply no room or place in football for such a thing.
I'd rather we kept Lucas for competition. We need to for every position. Having said that, if Lucas can maintain his current level then i see no reason to let him go at all, just get someone in to compete with him.
I hear you but Lucas will not be happy rotating or sitting on the bench, so he wouldn't accept it. I rather we sign a natural DM who can cover ground quickly and last 90 mins.
