When Rafael Benitez signed Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva back in 2007, much was expected of the youngster, who made his international debut the year before whilst with Gremio.
A £5 million price-tag added further to the pressure, and whilst much higher figures are now spent on young players (think £16 million for Jordan Henderson), the fee suggested big things were to come.
"I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future and [we] believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England," uttered Benitez at the player's unveiling.
Few would have believed it after his first few seasons at Anfield, but Lucas continues to prove the Spaniard right, and after a stellar campaign last year, the 24-year-old is again impressing on Merseyside, leading the Barclays Premier League tackling stats by a distance.
Of the top five tacklers in the division, Lucas has made over ten more successful challenges, with a 73% success rate from his 48. Youssouf Mulumbu, next on the list, has a 59% success rate from 37 efforts.
Whilst stats can only tell you so much in October, it's indisputable that Lucas has enjoyed a resurrection at Liverpool in the last season and a quarter.
His first season with the Reds was seen more as a bedding in period, but big things were expected of the Brazilian in the 2008/09 campaign after returning to the club with an Olympic bronze medal.
However, Lucas struggled to take opportunities when presented, and failed to impress in the shadow of Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. Booed off the pitch in a Barclays Premier League match against Fulham, Benitez was passionate in his defence of the player.
"People just don't know how good Lucas is. He is a fantastic player, he was captain of his club side at 19 and has already won full caps with Brazil. Not just any country, but Brazil," said Benitez after further criticism of the player came the Spaniard's way at a Charity event.
"He can tackle, he can pass the ball and he can win in the air. He is still a very young player learning to live in a different country.
"It is not easy for him to get into the team, considering the quality of the opposition he has to face in that department at Anfield."
Ian Doyle, writing for the Liverpool Daily Post at the time, went as far as to suggest a Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven, which followed the Fulham draw, could decide his future at the club.
If that was the case, then it was lucky Lucas shined in a 3-1 win.
Confidence clearly grew, and a commanding display in-place of Xabi Alonso in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford in March certainly helped convince the fans that perhaps they mis-judged the hard-working midfielder.
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