Saturday, November 14, 2009

Lucas Feeling The Heat At Liverpool Even More Than Brazil


Lucas Leiva believes the pressure is greater playing for Liverpool than Brazil because of the current predicament at Anfield.

The Liverpool midfielder is preparing for his country's friendly against England in Doha on Saturday. But thoughts of the situation on Merseyside are also on his mind with Liverpool facing Champions League elimination and currently seventh in the Premier League.

Lucas said: "How do I find the pressure of playing for Brazil and Liverpool? To be honest, the pressure now at Liverpool is worse.

"With Brazil, we are qualified for the World Cup. We always have pressure when playing, especially when it is against England, a big team.

"But in Liverpool now it is greater because we are in a difficult situation.

"We have to qualify now for the Champions League and also in the Premier League, we have to be in the top four.

"I know the pressure at Liverpool is difficult but now we have to think about the games for the national team and, when we go back, to try and change the situation.

"Even now when I am here, I don't feel well for Liverpool and no-one feels well.

"Of course, the results are not the best but I think if we keep the same mentality it will be okay. It is the time for Liverpool to keep together.

"I think Liverpool are playing well. Maybe we need something more but I hope we turn the bad situation around. Even against Lyon and Birmingham, I think we played well.

"We conceded some goals, maybe from our mistakes, and we have to keep working and hopefully the national break will come at a good time for us.

"Some players are injured so hopefully they will be fit for the next game."

Lucas believes England have a realistic chance of winning the 2010 World Cup and has massive respect for the way they have developed under Fabio Capello.

And he feels the weekend meeting between the two sides will be an ideal yardstick of how they are progressing ahead of the finals in South Africa.

Lucas said: "I think England is a top-level side. We have a lot of respect for them. We know all the players very well.

"Is this England's best chance of winning the World Cup? I think so. Of course, England have always had a good squad but I think the last results show the quality."

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