Match Day Thread Lucas Key to Liverpool

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Lucas Leiva is now a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool midfield
By Adam Bate
Last Updated: 24/11/15 3:53pm

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Jurgen Klopp has got Lucas playing a proactive role in Liverpool's midfield
Jamie Carragher has highlighted the statistics that show why Lucas Leiva is a key figure for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino understandably took the plaudits for Liverpool's hugely impressive 4-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday. However, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher

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&lt;img ="Lucas was prepared to push forward for Liverpool against Man City"&gt;
Lucas was prepared to push forward for Liverpool against Man City
"With Jurgen Klopp it seems that if you can close someone down then don't worry what's behind you, just go. Lucas's first thought was to go after Yaya Toure and, listen, it worked. He went off at half-time and they ran all over him.


http://www.skysports.com/football/n...igure-in-jurgen-klopp8217s-liverpool-midfield

 

My only issue is some times he presses too much and gets done in 1 2s, sometimes he needs to just close down instead. He's been really good though, really suits Klopps system. This suits him no end.

second in tackle stats for Europe, with 2 games less than no1 for tackles.

 

Past it, no legs, no pace, too many fouls, can't pick a forward pass and we should look to replace him with a quality DM...

...is what many people here have been saying about Lucas for the last few years

 

I was one of them but in the specific context of playing under Rodgers and his set up.

As I genuinely like Lucas I'm really pleased Klopp has revived his career with us!

 

Just need someone to tell Jimmy...

 

He is obviously vital to how we are playing at the moment. However, he doesn't have any pace and I am still adamant if money is spent right, we could get a top top young talent for that position.

 

You can get someone younger and cheaper to do his job.

If he was that good, surely he would have been recognised over the past 7 odd seasons and helped us get top 4. Truth is, he has shone in poor teams.

For all of the praise he has received, he's had a partner who has been better but is criticised.

As mentioned in another thread - the top tackler stat is so poor and means very little for a DM.

At the end of the day, he's a DM and it's a role we need. He's done a decent enough job but it's still not good enough. He was at fault for Aguero's goal as well.

 

I agree... Although same could be said for any player on the squad (exchanging pace for that specific players detriment).

Our squad isn't bad but we don't have any superstars who couldn't be replaced.

 

Maybe it is him and Can make a good partnership. Lucas is the old head and Can the energy. Eventually when Lucas retires Can will be the old head for a new protege.

 

That would be a harsh assessment of that goal, Lucas makes up the ground after a good pass puts Aguero in, it's a good finish not really anyones fault.

 

It thought that myself, aguero did turn lucas inside out but as you say lucas had to make up ground on him and had no time to get set, and lets be honest being turned by aguero is hardly the worst crime ever.

 

Lucas already had a yellow card and would have stopped Aguero with a tactical foul. Plus Skrtel messing about with his clearance was more the reason for the goal which didn't matter anyway.

 

I thought he was past it and to be fair, the last couple of years he hasn't been great. However back end of last year when he got back into the team and this year he's been superb. Getting somewhere close to his best again.

I still think he needs competition though as other than him we have no real DM with Can being the closest. IF he gets injured again or form drops we have no replacement.

Happy he's doing well though, his LFC career is full of ups and downs but has never once moaned or complained and he just seems like a generally nice bloke to be honest. Even when was getting **** from everyone the first couple of years being a 21 year old coming into new country and new football and new position he never once bad mouthed or complained.

Also unfortunate that he came into the team after what had been our best midfield for the last god knows how long in Alonso/Mash/Gerrard/Sissoko.

 

Erm.... not sure how you work that out? Skrtel gives the ball away to a player goal side of Lucas and Aguero is already goal side when receives the ball.. Lucas sprints back to get goal side and in doing so, Aguero stops the ball to give himself a yard of space and bends it in top corner...

 

Hamann won trophies with us.

Mascherano was a big part in one of the best central midfields in world football.

Lucas has been instrumental in mid table finishes. If Lucas can play a big part in us consistently finishing top 4 or helps us win trophies, then fair enough.

 

Unfortunate that he had to replace top class players?

 

You know very well that we lost a number of very good players and that they were not replaced properly.
Lucas cannot propel us into the top 4 by himself and players like Hamman or Mascherano were playing with quality around them their performances are of course enhanced by this.
Too much is put on individuals in modern football. Systems and partnerships are much more important as long as the personnel are competent and you have 1 or 2 game changers/class players you can challenge for honours.

 

Jimmy you can really make some lazy arguments when trying to not accept a players quality.

Aren't you the one who came up with most dribbled past by stat when rubbishing Flannagan. Yet cannot accept the most tackles made by Lucas. Well when Chelsea were flying so were Matics stats on tackles. Lucas is a quality player and his only issue is his injury record.

 

Lazy arguments? Yes it's lazy of me to look beyond the tackles won stat, and not just take it at face value. Really lazy.

Surely you can see the difference between the two stats you just quoted? And I do accept the stat on Lucas - he's won the most amount of tackles. Congrats - but how many has he lost, how many fouls has he made as well. It's about adding context. Everyone is raving about Lucas now because 'he's the top tackler'.

Matic is an excellent tackler - but he offers much more protection as well.

Question - which of these would you rather have:

Mascherano
Hamann
Lucas

 

Yes - we lost quality players and replaced them with the likes of Johnson, Skrtel and Lucas. It's not a coincidence that we fell from grace when we started putting in a decent players instead of top quality.