This season Liverpool have deployed Steven Gerrard and Brazilian Lucas in the deep midfield positions, and while both have performed well throughout, the latter is now apparently out for two months with a knee problem. It’s a massive loss for the Reds, as he has been a key player to their success this season, and I’ll tell you why that is, if you carry on reading.
He has played 21 games for Liverpool this season and has allowed the attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturrdige and Philippe Coutinho play their natural game safe in the knowledge that there is a solid base behind them.
In the Premier League, Lucas has a pass completion of 91% and he has won 71% of his take ons, showing that there is a strong technical side to his game. He’s known for the scrappy side of his game, which has proved to be a crucial part to the way Liverpool play, and he has carried that on this season with 51 fouls committed, 63 clearances and 48 interceptions.
There isn’t currently another player at Anfield who plays like Lucas. Jordan Henderson is a central player but likes to roam forward and is about technique and tenacity, rather than picking up the scraps and dismantling the opposition.
Lucas adds a certain balance into the side that Brendan Rodgers will now have to find a solution for, and I wouldn’t be surprised if their form stuttered a bit from now.