10 Jun 2015 21:03:02
Ed002, do you genuinely think Lucas will stay?

I checked the search function and the last thing you said was something along the lines of "Liverpool convinced him to stay in January". Has his head been turned since or are Lucas and Liverpool both happy with him playing here next season?

{Ed002's Note - If Liverpool put him on the market now it would be pretty nasty for the kid.}


1.) 10 Jun 2015
10 Jun 2015 22:05:25
I hope he stays. He's one player I truly respect here, thinks he's quality.


2.) 10 Jun 2015
10 Jun 2015 22:28:37
I really hope we don't force him out. He is pure class.

If Sweden got Zlatan into the Swedish Dictionary and it means "to dominate", then Lucas should get his place in the scouse dictionary with his name meaning "role model".


3.) 10 Jun 2015
10 Jun 2015 23:25:08
It was one of Rafas true genius strokes to see his potential, and turn him into a Dm from his original role.

In the early days, just like Can probably will, Lucas took a couple of seasons to adapt into the role, and he gave away a lot of clumsy free kicks, and he also took a lot of flack from the fans during that education. I thought he was basically rubbish for most of his first season to be honest.

Now that he can do the role really well, and once the injuries are well behind him, he will only get better. It makes no sense to let him go, none at all- he is one of the best and most underrated DMs in the league.

I hope and pray that BR has the nous to make Lucas the first name on that teamsheet every single week, and for me it is one of the clearest signs of BRs lack of vision that he cannot see how much Lucas influences the game, gets a strong tackle in, takes the pressure off the side, and allows the team some breathing space to develop our own game.

He doesn't score goals or play the 35 yard hollywood balls (that most times come to nothing anyway), but he closes players down very quickly, breaks up or slows down opposition moves, and he always seems to keep hold of the ball under a challenge, and usually finds a ten yard forward pass to give us an outlet and get us moving forwards again.

He doesn't only do the defensive role- he gets the ball moving again, and often very quickly with one touch.
Is he the player he was 2/3 years ago before the big injuries? Maybe not quite, but if he stays free of injury he will get better and stronger, and he still has 2 or 3 years of top performances left in him.
I would let any other player in that squad go before Lucas- barring maybe Coutinho.
A top DM seems to be almost as difficult to find as a top striker these days. We have one in the squad, so why on earth would we let him go?


4.) 10 Jun 2015
10 Jun 2015 23:28:21
Trouble is, Brendan doesn't see him as what he wants, as he doesn't want a defensive midfielder like Lucas, but use Can or Kovacic if he comes! Feel sorry for Lucas.


5.) 11 Jun 2015
11 Jun 2015 07:13:12
While I like Lucas and what he can do for Liverpool in the DM role, Its the injuries that are affecting him that I think the EPL is not the league for him now. I think Italy would very much suit his game. In saying that I would be happy for him to be here as back up to a 1st choice DM.


6.) 11 Jun 2015
11 Jun 2015 10:59:11
Agree with the above - I think BR has it all wrong trying to focus on a deep lying playmaker (unless we can sign a genuine all rounder that can also defend like Alonso).

Admittedly the role worked well last season with Gerard on form and Suarez/Sturridge/Sterling launching swift attacks off his passes, but even then we were porous in defence and conceded too many goals that cost us the title. In addition, our strength is no longer upfront since Suarez left, it's in our attacking midfield.

He should just put in a specialist DM and give Hendo/Milner/Llalana/Coutinho the ball as quickly as possible and license to drive forward from midfield with confidence there's cover behind them if they lose possession.

Only way I'd be comfortable losing Lucas is if we sign someone like Kongdogbia.


7.) 11 Jun 2015
11 Jun 2015 15:00:48
I like Lucas, always have. He's without question the best DM we have and he's a model professional
Unfortunately I've also always thought that he wasn't quite top drawer. I think we need better to achieve top 4.
Would I let him go?
Yes
Do I think BR should let him go?
No because he won't replace him properly


8.) 11 Jun 2015
11 Jun 2015 17:33:03
I'm sorry to disagree, but I don't think he's all that good. Yes, he can break play up, but almost every game he plays (which aren't many) he seems to make a mistake in his own half, gifting the ball to the opposition. His first touch is woeful and his passing is poor, even though he only plays the simplest ball available most of the time. He frequently puts players in trouble with his decision making with the ball also.

Having said all that, he does sit in front of the back 4 quite well and breaks up play fairly effectively. I'm just not sure that the strong areas of his game make up for the weaknesses.


9.) 11 Jun 2015
11 Jun 2015 18:10:15
Will never win league with Lucas as dm. Get rid off now while still has some resale value. Get a dm with a bit of tenacity, intimidation and physical. That is what we lack. Lucas is crap.