The departure of Xabi Alonso may be tough to take but for one man the Spaniard’s exit represents the ideal opportunity to finally prove he’s good enough to make the grade at Anfield.
Lucas has struggled to endear himself to supporters since he arrived from Gremio two years ago.
Limited first team chances and indifferent form meant many wrote him off as a £6million mistake.
He was booed by his own fans at Anfield last season and a dismissal in the FA Cup defeat at Goodison left him at rock bottom.
But Rafa Benitez never lost faith in the 22-year-old and after finishing last season strongly Lucas has carried on where he left off.
Liverpool have hardly set the world alight during their pre-season travels.
In half their six matches they’ve failed to find the net and only Singapore and Norwegian whipping boys FC Lyn have been defeated.
However, a feature of their build up has been Lucas’ consistent and commanding midfield performances.
Benitez may have lined up £20million man Alberto Aquilani as Alonso’s replacement but the Italian is some way off full fitness.
The manager needs someone to star alongside Javier Mascherano when their Premier League campaign starts at Spurs next Sunday and Lucas is up for the challenge.
“I am always ready and now Xabi is gone I hope there will be more opportunities for me,” he said.
“I am just working hard in training to try to earn a position in the team.
“I’ve played a lot of minutes in pre-season and that has given me more confidence.
“I’m feeling better and hopefully it will be a good season for me.
“I want to play every week but I know Liverpool have a strong squad.
“I just have to wait and respect whatever decisions Rafa makes.”
Lucas admits the loss of Alonso to Real Madrid after five years at Anfield has affected the squad but he insists the Reds can still mount a title challenge without the classy midfielder.
“Everyone was really sad to see Xabi go because he had been here a long time,” Lucas said.
“Last season he was one of the club’s best players but he has a plan for himself and his career. We have to respect that.
“We will continue to support him because he is a friend of ours. I hope he does well at Real and I’m sure he hopes we continue to do well here.
“We will miss him of course but I think we can cope without him.
“We didn’t play all the games last season with Xabi.
“He’s a really good player but we also have a lot of other quality players here.”
Lucas, who has scored four goals in 71 appearances for the Reds, believes he has reaped the rewards of his first full pre-season.
When he joined the Reds in 2007 he didn’t arrive until late July because of Gremio’s Copa Libertadores commitments.
And then last summer he missed the start of the Premier League campaign due to the Olympic Games in Beijing. He returned to Anfield with a bronze medal but looked jaded and struggled to impress.
Now he is refreshed and ready to showcase the kind of talent which in 2006 earned him the Bola de Ouro (Golden Ball), which is given to the best player in the Brazilian league.
Lucas was the youngest player to ever receive the award and it was an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Romario, Kaka and Tevez.
“I have really enjoyed pre-season,” he said.
“It’s the first full one I’ve had since I signed for Liverpool and it has been great for me.
“Now I am feeling much more confident and fitter.
“I think I am a better player than I was last season.
“I’m looking to impress and we must see what happens.”
Lucas has struggled to endear himself to supporters since he arrived from Gremio two years ago.
Limited first team chances and indifferent form meant many wrote him off as a £6million mistake.
He was booed by his own fans at Anfield last season and a dismissal in the FA Cup defeat at Goodison left him at rock bottom.
But Rafa Benitez never lost faith in the 22-year-old and after finishing last season strongly Lucas has carried on where he left off.
Liverpool have hardly set the world alight during their pre-season travels.
In half their six matches they’ve failed to find the net and only Singapore and Norwegian whipping boys FC Lyn have been defeated.
However, a feature of their build up has been Lucas’ consistent and commanding midfield performances.
Benitez may have lined up £20million man Alberto Aquilani as Alonso’s replacement but the Italian is some way off full fitness.
The manager needs someone to star alongside Javier Mascherano when their Premier League campaign starts at Spurs next Sunday and Lucas is up for the challenge.
“I am always ready and now Xabi is gone I hope there will be more opportunities for me,” he said.
“I am just working hard in training to try to earn a position in the team.
“I’ve played a lot of minutes in pre-season and that has given me more confidence.
“I’m feeling better and hopefully it will be a good season for me.
“I want to play every week but I know Liverpool have a strong squad.
“I just have to wait and respect whatever decisions Rafa makes.”
Lucas admits the loss of Alonso to Real Madrid after five years at Anfield has affected the squad but he insists the Reds can still mount a title challenge without the classy midfielder.
“Everyone was really sad to see Xabi go because he had been here a long time,” Lucas said.
“Last season he was one of the club’s best players but he has a plan for himself and his career. We have to respect that.
“We will continue to support him because he is a friend of ours. I hope he does well at Real and I’m sure he hopes we continue to do well here.
“We will miss him of course but I think we can cope without him.
“We didn’t play all the games last season with Xabi.
“He’s a really good player but we also have a lot of other quality players here.”
Lucas, who has scored four goals in 71 appearances for the Reds, believes he has reaped the rewards of his first full pre-season.
When he joined the Reds in 2007 he didn’t arrive until late July because of Gremio’s Copa Libertadores commitments.
And then last summer he missed the start of the Premier League campaign due to the Olympic Games in Beijing. He returned to Anfield with a bronze medal but looked jaded and struggled to impress.
Now he is refreshed and ready to showcase the kind of talent which in 2006 earned him the Bola de Ouro (Golden Ball), which is given to the best player in the Brazilian league.
Lucas was the youngest player to ever receive the award and it was an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Romario, Kaka and Tevez.
“I have really enjoyed pre-season,” he said.
“It’s the first full one I’ve had since I signed for Liverpool and it has been great for me.
“Now I am feeling much more confident and fitter.
“I think I am a better player than I was last season.
“I’m looking to impress and we must see what happens.”
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