please log in to view this image Lucas Leiva claims he is feeling 50 per cent better physically than he did last season as he sets about a full pre-season for the first time under Brendan Rodgers. The Brazilian has endured two injury-hit campaigns since winning our Player of the Season award in 2010-11, but after a good spell back in the team last term he is now approaching peak condition. "I'm feeling 50-60 per cent better than I was last season," Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com. "The last six months I played were really important for me. I needed to get games and sessions, and this season now I'm feeling strong and feeling that I'm in the shape I was before the injury. "Now I've got to improve the fitness and build confidence, but I'm really happy with the way pre-season has started." Lucas is one of 27 players currently in Indonesia for the first leg of our summer tour, with new players Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet also in the party. And Lucas has revealed how he takes it upon himself to help any new player settle, in the hope they will find their form quicker. He explained: "Myself and a few others try to translate and be the link between the staff and players. We try to make sure they feel welcome and happy because if they adapt quicker, they'll find their form quicker. "We saw how well Coutinho played when he arrived in January because off the pitch he was really comfortable. "I always try to be this link - because if they perform well it's good for us as a team." At 26, Lucas is one of the oldest players in what was the youngest Barclays Premier League team last season. "It's been six years and my seventh season is here already," he added. "How much I've changed since I arrived - the hair and the face! Older, for sure. "I really appreciate how things changed for me at this club. I want to keep going. "Being one of the older players in the squad makes you feel like you have extra responsibility. I really like that, and I hope I can be one of the leaders on the pitch this season."
i really hope he is. he was second to balls and just picking up cheap yellows. he really needs to be first to things and robust. If he can do that he will be vital to us. fingers crossed.
http://www.eplindex.com/34672/lucas-lynchpin-stats-compared-to-rival-defensive-midfielders.html His Stats show he was still vital last year
meh.... honeslt yhe was not what he could be. comparing him to others isn't quite right... the whole prem was a bit ****e last year IMO. comapre lucas pre injury to lucas last year..... he was not as good as he should be. If he returns to where he should be he is far superior to anyhting utd, city, cheslea or arsenal have frankly... there are only 1/2 guys who are really defendisve powerhouses i nthe prem... carrick aint one. dembele is. look at the stats of rhim on his own form 2011 and last year tackles won one per 20mins v one per 12 min.... i think lucas can step up. our possession game suits his passing style too... i am hopeful
I remember the "Fear me! For I am Lucas" poster think it was before a big Chelsea match, and he was outstanding
if we can have 2 men in there holding thier own v 3 we have so many options to play as a 3 behind sturridge... if we need to put 3 in there to hold thier own we lose options.
And that was what many of us considered an 'off season' for him. Look forward to seeing him at his best.
Lucas was, is and will continue to be vital for the team until we buy another DM at least. Playing attacking football with two attacking FBs means the DM role is extremely vital, to the point where (and I've said this for about two years now) Lucas is the most important player in our squad!
I think Lucas would make a good Captain when Gerrard hangs his boots up. He seems to be very grounded and has the respect of both players and fans. Remember the stick he got when he first began to hold down a first team place albeit not in his best position. There was no whinging in the press or other Rooney style antics, he just got on with it and did his best. He was awesome in the season he got his injury and sorely missed in midfield when he was out. On Rooney I saw a headline in one of the papers the other day declaring Rooney was "Angry and confused" my first thought was......nothing new there then.
i dunno... captain is a funny thing these days. is it a media thing, a hander out of tickets or a focal point of a team... or like john terry is it license to sleep with your left fulls missus and call rivals racist names?
