After a disappointing loss at the hands of the European champions on Tuesday night, many drew positives from the Reds performance at the Santiago Bernabeu – but one player went un-credited.
Lucas was recalled to the side for the first time since the Capital One cup tie against Swansea, with the Brazilian having found first team opportunities hard to come by since Steven Gerrard’s transformation into a holding midfielder last season.
Lucas was highly tipped to leave Anfield in the summer, but the midfielder stayed as he looked to try and force his way into the side.
Since the start of the season, Liverpool have found it difficult without talisman Luis Suarez as any team would, but it’s not just goals they are missing.
Liverpool’s midfield has struggled to rediscover the form of last season where they controlled most teams in the middle of the park, and it’s been said that teams are now focusing on Gerrard without having to worry about the threat of Suarez.
Watching Liverpool this season has been frustrating to say the least. The Reds miss-place passes, over hit cross-field balls and that control and penetration on the ball is far off the level it should be.
I for one was happy to see Lucas back in the starting XI on Tuesday. Playing Madrid away is gruelling and as Jamie Carragher said this week, you need to be very tight and compact. The Brazilian brings you that in abundance.
His performance was somewhat over shadowed by Toure’s (who had a great game) and he didn’t get the credit he deserved.
Lucas brings not only composure on the ball but he can read the game excellently. He is the type of player you need for the big games to close the gaps between midfield and defence and he does it superbly.
Watch Lucas in a game and ask yourself ‘how many times does he lose the ball in possession’? The answer is, hardly ever.
Tuesday night he played the ball out of tight spaces relentlessly and it was easily one of the best midfield displays I have seen in a few weeks by Liverpool as a whole.
It’s been argued many of times that Gerrard and Lucas can’t play together, but I think many would argue that a way has to be found.
The midfielder made a very good account of himself last night and surely he has given Rodgers something to think about – especially with the visit of Chelsea on the horizon for the Reds this weekend.
Would you start Lucas against Chelsea on Saturday? Let us know your thoughts below.
Lucas is so good Liverpool could not get 5 mill for him . He gives away more unnecessary free kicks in dangerous areas than any other player . Him & Allen should not be LFC players , Henderson should only be a squad player , Stevie should now only player for the final 30 mins. Our midfield is now worse than it has ever been .
Loss is a loss and we can’t take any positives from the Real games. Your whole article is papering over the cracks.
In answer to headline . Absolutely not
My article doesn’t paint over the cracks at all. In fact.. I have highlighted the cracks in my article of recent. I am simply identifying Lucas’s performance, I do not state anywhere that losing 1-0 was a good result.
My article is focused on Liverpool’s performance and how I think the midfield looked more comfortable in possession etc.
But I appreciate your comment.