Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

Mascherano is a distant memory now, such is Lucas' progression. I think it's obvious to see that he learnt a lot from playing with the likes of Alonso and Mascherano but imo Lucas is better on the ball than Mascherano ever was anyway.

He's a big game player aswell. A bit like Kuyt used to be despite not being everyone's favourite.

Love the lad.

[metalhead]

IMH you miserable bugger!

If we focus on where are weaknesses lie today, Lucas is well down the list.

From safe position (player/skill set), no need to make changes downwards:

Safe positions:
Reina,
Suarez
Lucas
Jose Enrique,
+++

Solid positions:
Adam
Johnson
Gerrard
Bellamy
Downing
Maxi
Kuyt
+++

Doubtful:
Spearing (not good enough)
Henderson
Carra (past his prime)
Carroll (unproven)

Prospects:
Coates (unproven), Kelly and all the other youngsters who need a full season before we can properly judge them.

Need replacement:
Agger - too injury prone and terrible waste of salary over the years
Skrtl - too inconsistent, too slow

Taking into account Coates, Kelly and some of the other young defenders coming through, the back 4 could be rock solid by the end of the season.
The core of the midfield is good enough at both taking the game to top sides (Citech, Chelsea and ManUre) and defending.
The weak area is putting the ball in the back of the net!  Where's Carroll  when you need her? Downing, Kuyt etc.. they've got to become more goal focused.

After good performances against Citeh, Chelsea, Ure etc.. I'd like to see the Spurs game again where we got ripped apart and see where the weak points were again and what we've done to change the gameplan.

Overall, looks good but clearly Kenneth needs til the end of the season to get this team to gel and develop into a proper unit.

I agree, I think Lucas is undropable right now, he is doing ever so well that I fear something bad happens to our shape of team if he doesn't start.

I don't agree with you selling Skrtel or Agger, I don't rate Skrtel that much but he has been very solid with the Agger partnership so I'll give it time and Agger finally is getting a run of games, HOPEFULLY he stays fit all season because he is a great asset to have.

Back to Lucas, loving how he is proving me and others wrong.

[woof woof !]

When he arrived, based on the little I'd seen of him (via YouTube), I thought we'd signed a Brazilian midfielder with all the flair and creativity that some of us older guys would normally associate with that position. Even now looking back at those clips it's not surprising that he was awarded the "Brazilian Golden Ball", an honour he shared with the likes of Zico, Romario and Kaka. When he ran out for us I was dismayed to see a fella that showed zero flair and fk all creativity, and must admit I thought we'd signed a lemon.

Looking back, in fairness to the fella, I think part of the problem was down to his assigned role in the team. Most of the time he seemed to be working as a secondary holding midfielder alongside Mascherano.  Defensively he was completely overshadowed by the presence/aggression of Mash and with Gerrard as our prime attacking midfielder Lucas was reduced to the role of little more than an on field "ball boy", i.e. "pick it up give it to a player". It could be argued that he didn't display enough self belief and show that he had more in his locker than just making a nuisance of himself in midfield with the proverbial square 5 yard  passes and ill timed tackles but with hindsight I guess that was the role he was expected to play.

Mascheranos departure signalled the flowering of Lucas. From the minute Mash walked out the door Lucas at last he had a significant and defined role to play and he has stepped up to the mark, he is now our primary "holding" player, the best we have. He may not have expressed the "Brazilian flair" I was looking for when he arrived, he has however shown true grit, determination and perhaps more loyalty to LFC than some of us (including me) have shown to him.

Can only hope he continues to improve. and make some of us eat even more humble pie.

[andy_g]

maybe the brazilian flair hasn't come to the fore as much as we hoped or expected, but there is definitely a brazilian style to his play. i've always thought that the way he passes the ball, his body shape, the weight of the pass, etc etc etc is just.... well.... brazilian

[stmichael]

When he arrived, based on the little I'd seen of him (via YouTube), I thought we'd signed a Brazilian midfielder with all the flair and creativity that some of us older guys would normally associate with that position. Even now looking back at those clips it's not surprising that he was awarded the "Brazilian Golden Ball", an honour he shared with the likes of Zico, Romario and Kaka. When he ran out for us I was dismayed to see a fella that showed zero flair and fk all creativity, and must admit I thought we'd signed a lemon.

Looking back, in fairness to the fella, I think part of the problem was down to his assigned role in the team. Most of the time he seemed to be working as a secondary holding midfielder alongside Mascherano.  Defensively he was completely overshadowed by the presence/aggression of Mash and with Gerrard as our prime attacking midfielder Lucas was reduced to the role of little more than an on field "ball boy", i.e. "pick it up give it to a player". It could be argued that he didn't display enough self belief and show that he had more in his locker than just making a nuisance of himself in midfield with the proverbial square 5 yard  passes and ill timed tackles but with hindsight I guess that was the role he was expected to play.

Mascheranos departure signalled the flowering of Lucas. From the minute Mash walked out the door Lucas at last he had a significant and defined role to play and he has stepped up to the mark, he is now our primary "holding" player, the best we have. He may not have expressed the "Brazilian flair" I was looking for when he arrived, he has however shown true grit, determination and perhaps more loyalty to LFC than some of us (including me) have shown to him.

Can only hope he continues to improve. and make some of us eat even more humble pie.

Good post Woof. Always good to see when fans are willing to admit they were wrong about a player. It's why it does my head in when we've already got fans on here saying that Carroll, Downing and Henderson aren't good enough after twelve games. Hell even Adam was getting slagged off a few weeks ago.

I agree that he's come of age now that others have left. In the past you could probably forgive him for being somewhat overawed by the likes of Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano around him. These were all really strong characters and leaders on the pitch. Once they go you are looking for others to step up and be leaders and I consider Lucas to be one of those now along with Agger when he's fit. We have to be looking beyond Carragher and Gerrard now. When they are out the side I'd have absolutely no problem with Lucas being the captain instead of Reina, that's how influential and important he's become.

[Thommo's perm]

When he arrived, based on the little I'd seen of him (via YouTube), I thought we'd signed a Brazilian midfielder with all the flair and creativity that some of us older guys would normally associate with that position. Even now looking back at those clips it's not surprising that he was awarded the "Brazilian Golden Ball", an honour he shared with the likes of Zico, Romario and Kaka. When he ran out for us I was dismayed to see a fella that showed zero flair and fk all creativity, and must admit I thought we'd signed a lemon.

Looking back, in fairness to the fella, I think part of the problem was down to his assigned role in the team. Most of the time he seemed to be working as a secondary holding midfielder alongside Mascherano.  Defensively he was completely overshadowed by the presence/aggression of Mash and with Gerrard as our prime attacking midfielder Lucas was reduced to the role of little more than an on field "ball boy", i.e. "pick it up give it to a player". It could be argued that he didn't display enough self belief and show that he had more in his locker than just making a nuisance of himself in midfield with the proverbial square 5 yard  passes and ill timed tackles but with hindsight I guess that was the role he was expected to play.

Mascheranos departure signalled the flowering of Lucas. From the minute Mash walked out the door Lucas at last he had a significant and defined role to play and he has stepped up to the mark, he is now our primary "holding" player, the best we have. He may not have expressed the "Brazilian flair" I was looking for when he arrived, he has however shown true grit, determination and perhaps more loyalty to LFC than some of us (including me) have shown to him.

Can only hope he continues to improve. and make some of us eat even more humble pie.

If he continues as he is and gets even better then I will eat a rather large portion with pleasure
Bring it on Lucas baby!

[peterc1992]

What a play,Simple as.

Nothing else to say.

Haters guna hate but the haters disapear this time around.They be back out when we are losing and lucas doesnt create anything is the flavour of the month

[Thommo's perm]

What a play,Simple as.

Nothing else to say.

Haters guna hate but the haters disapear this time around.They be back out when we are losing and lucas doesnt create anything is the flavour of the month

Word. Motherlicker

[mart]

Need replacement:
Agger - too injury prone and terrible waste of salary over the years
Skrtl - too inconsistent, too slow

Now that Agger and Skrtel have finally got a chance to form a partnership they have been very solid together. If agger can stay fit I dont see why we should replace them.

[metalhead]

our Kenneth is saying Lucas damaged his knee and needs a scan to see if its serious or not

Lets hope its nothing serious

[damjan193]

Yeah, let's hope. I really can't imagine our midfield without him at the moment.

Anyway, outstanding performance by him today again, he's the one that should get player of the month this time.

[red till i die!!]

he wont be out for long.
he has a good engine in him:D

[Kukilon]

The worst injuries are always the once that doesn't look that bad... like this one. Hope it's nothing serious though because we really need our "flair".

[Zidane]

Devastated about his injury hope he comes back soon.

[killerp]

Never thought I would say this but...we will really miss Lucas while he is out injured! Hope it's not too bad.

Who do you replace him with? Adam Spearing?