What The Return Of Lucas Means To Liverpool

Last Saturday in their Premier League match against Southampton at Anfield the Liverpool faithful saw the return to action of their midfield maestro, Lucas Leiva. After a series of injury problems, the Brazil international will hope to put these behind him and push on and remain a constant fixture in the Liverpool starting eleven like he was before his injury.

When Lucas first arrived in Merseyside from Gremio in 2007 for a £6 million fee, the former U20 Brazil Captain received an unfair amount of criticism for his performances. He joined as an attack-minded midfielder but, following the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, he was pushed further back to start a transition into a more defensive midfield role. His performances in this role have continued to develop under a few managers at Anfield in recent years and he is now a crucial player in the squad.

Lucas showing his battling resolve in midfield

What Lucas provides to the team is a great protective barrier in front of the back four. His reading of the game is superb and he is not afraid to put in a tackle – as shown by his 8 against Southampton, the highest of any player in the league that day. One thing which is often missed out by people when they talk about him is his range of passing and vision – he’s no Xabi Alonso in that area, but he helps to dictate the pace of the play and change it, giving it to the more creative players up top such as Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard. Him being in front of the defence means that these players have less of a concern of getting back and can focus on what their main role is in the team.

The return of Lucas could be key to allowing Liverpool’s newest midfield signing more freedom and chances to push up. The £15 million Joe Allen is a perfect complement to Lucas and Steven Gerrard in the midfield – whilst the Brazilian sits back and does the dirty work in winning the ball back, it allows Joe Allen to take on a more advanced role. His (Allen’s) movement on and off the ball is superb, exchanging generally short passes with team mates and moving around into space, changing the tempo of the game when an opening presents itself. The third midfielder and talisman, Gerrard, will also benefit from Lucas’ return – meaning he can push forward more like the old days and possibly provide some much needed goals from the Liverpool midfield, something they have been lacking for a while.

Lucas patrols the area in front of the back four (in the black circle), meaning the likes of Steven Gerrard
and Joe Allen  in midfield, as well as the two fullbacks, can push on as shown by the red arrows.

Joe Allen has often been criticised (wrongly, in my opinion) for not having goals and key passes in his game at Liverpool – whilst obviously it’s nice for everyone in a team to have this, it isn't needed by everyone. The return of Lucas means he is higher up the pitch and more able to influence the final third, rather than having to do the role which Lucas will now take up. This means he will have more of a chance to run the play and change it based on the situation - such as when to speed up or slow down the play, acting as a catalyst for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Liverpool missed Lucas for most of last season, as well as a lot of this season as well. He was rushed back against Manchester City earlier this year and wasn't fully fit, but hopefully for him, Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers and football fans this isn't another false dawn – and will be able to take his rightful place in the starting eleven and continue his quest towards a Brazil 2014 squad spot.

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