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Kenny Dalglish delighted with Liverpool FC and Brazil midfielder Lucas
Ian Doyle
Feb 12 2011
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IT’S Sunday evening. And on a packed train heading out of Euston for Lime Street comes the latest indication of the changing of the guard at Anfield.
Amid the chants celebrating their team’s defiant 1-0 win at Chelsea earlier in the day, there’s one ditty from the boisterous Liverpool supporters that, not too long ago, would probably have been as welcome on the Kop as Fernando Torres.
Sung to the tune of The Kinks hit “Lola”, the jubilant fans were paying tribute to the efforts of Lucas Leiva, man of the match at Stamford Bridge and arguably the most consistently impressive performer during a rollercoaster season for Liverpool.
Bought from Gremio by Rafael Benitez nearly four years ago, it has taken the Brazilian a long time to be acknowledged by Anfield followers, although admittedly much of the ire has emanated from armchair fans quite happy to echo the misguided criticism of so-called experts.
Lucas was often incorrectly held up as the epitome of everything that was wrong with Benitez’s team, while even his sterling efforts under Roy Hodgson this campaign were largely overlooked.
But with the arrival of Kenny Dalglish has come a sudden realisation from his doubters that the 24-year-old can actually play. Never mind that Lucas was already a regular in the Brazil squad, playing a full 90 minutes on Wednesday in the narrow friendly defeat to France.
And while Dalglish admits English football has been slow to accept the midfielder, he insists Lucas’s talents have always been appreciated with Anfield.
“It was interesting to see him playing for Brazil on Wednesday,” says the Liverpool manager. “They have had some fantastic players in his position, the best known was Dunga, who won World Cups and went on to manage the national side.
“I’ve always said Lucas is highly thought of in Brazil – probably more than in Britain, but certainly not at Liverpool. We have always appreciated what he can do. Last Sunday he was as good as anyone on the pitch at Chelsea.
“To see him playing for Brazil wasn’t really a surprise for me. Everyone you talk to is highly complimentary of him and that can’t do players any harm.
“Lucas is greatly appreciated by a lot of people. He won’t be the one to beat five or six players and put it in the back of the net, but he may be the one who stops the guy going past the first one and sets us on our way.
“He’s an important member of the team. Most teams have someone like that in the ranks and we are no different.
“The fact he started on Wednesday for Brazil tells you they must be very pleased with him as well, and the performances he’s put in for us mean he’s deserved it.”
Lucas has missed only one game under Dalglish when his disciplined influence in midfield was noticeably absent during the tense finale to the 1-0 home win over Fulham.
Dalglish wouldn’t be drawn on the possibility of an extension to Lucas’s present deal, with preliminary talks having opened with the player’s representatives in December.
But he adds: “We just talk about the boy and what he has done for us. We are delighted with him. He’ll be a good player when he grows up!
“Maybe he is the same as Raul Meireles and he has started to settle down. I don’t know. Whatever the reason, we are just grateful for the job that he is doing.
“When he first came here, he was an attacking midfielder and was very highly thought of in Brazil. He came here and then sat a little bit deeper. If he wants to burst forward now, there is no problem.
“He has not got it in his contract that he is defensive midfielder. He is a Liverpool player. But he is capable of scoring goals. He is doing a fantastic job.”
Another midfielder that has become greater appreciated under Dalglish is Raul Meireles.
The Portuguese netted his fourth goal in five games to earn Liverpool victory at Stamford Bridge, and the Liverpool manager is confident there remains plenty to come from the £10.5million man.
“Anyone who knows anything about football would have known about Raul Merieles, he’s played for Portugal, he played in the World Cup,” says Dalglish.
“Most people take time to settle in, and if you do so straight away you’re very fortunate. Everyone’s different, you have to be patient. But Raul will feel a lot more comfortable now than when he came in, and has shown what he can do on the pitch.
“If he’s going to get better we have a lot to look forward to but we’re delighted with the progress he’s made.
“Some settle in straight away. Some take a little longer. But the return he’s getting from his performances is fantastic.”
Dalglish will be aiming to guide Liverpool to a fifth successive Premier League win this afternoon when his team entertain Wigan Athletic.
Both Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt this week joined the growing chorus for the Scot to have his Anfield tenure extended beyond the end of the season.
But a jovial Dalglish adds: “The boys are under pressure every time they get asked a question about the situation. Let’s be honest, they aren’t going to say 'he should get his P45', are they?! It’s their opinion.
“There has nothing been spoken about in way, shape or form. And it won’t guarantee them a game either!
“Everyone is enjoying themselves after winning four games, so as long as we continue enjoying it and acting responsible, that will be okay.
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Ian Doyle
Feb 12 2011
0Share
Add a comment
Recommend (6)
IT’S Sunday evening. And on a packed train heading out of Euston for Lime Street comes the latest indication of the changing of the guard at Anfield.
Amid the chants celebrating their team’s defiant 1-0 win at Chelsea earlier in the day, there’s one ditty from the boisterous Liverpool supporters that, not too long ago, would probably have been as welcome on the Kop as Fernando Torres.
Sung to the tune of The Kinks hit “Lola”, the jubilant fans were paying tribute to the efforts of Lucas Leiva, man of the match at Stamford Bridge and arguably the most consistently impressive performer during a rollercoaster season for Liverpool.
Bought from Gremio by Rafael Benitez nearly four years ago, it has taken the Brazilian a long time to be acknowledged by Anfield followers, although admittedly much of the ire has emanated from armchair fans quite happy to echo the misguided criticism of so-called experts.
Lucas was often incorrectly held up as the epitome of everything that was wrong with Benitez’s team, while even his sterling efforts under Roy Hodgson this campaign were largely overlooked.
But with the arrival of Kenny Dalglish has come a sudden realisation from his doubters that the 24-year-old can actually play. Never mind that Lucas was already a regular in the Brazil squad, playing a full 90 minutes on Wednesday in the narrow friendly defeat to France.
And while Dalglish admits English football has been slow to accept the midfielder, he insists Lucas’s talents have always been appreciated with Anfield.
“It was interesting to see him playing for Brazil on Wednesday,” says the Liverpool manager. “They have had some fantastic players in his position, the best known was Dunga, who won World Cups and went on to manage the national side.
“I’ve always said Lucas is highly thought of in Brazil – probably more than in Britain, but certainly not at Liverpool. We have always appreciated what he can do. Last Sunday he was as good as anyone on the pitch at Chelsea.
“To see him playing for Brazil wasn’t really a surprise for me. Everyone you talk to is highly complimentary of him and that can’t do players any harm.
“Lucas is greatly appreciated by a lot of people. He won’t be the one to beat five or six players and put it in the back of the net, but he may be the one who stops the guy going past the first one and sets us on our way.
“He’s an important member of the team. Most teams have someone like that in the ranks and we are no different.
“The fact he started on Wednesday for Brazil tells you they must be very pleased with him as well, and the performances he’s put in for us mean he’s deserved it.”
Lucas has missed only one game under Dalglish when his disciplined influence in midfield was noticeably absent during the tense finale to the 1-0 home win over Fulham.
Dalglish wouldn’t be drawn on the possibility of an extension to Lucas’s present deal, with preliminary talks having opened with the player’s representatives in December.
But he adds: “We just talk about the boy and what he has done for us. We are delighted with him. He’ll be a good player when he grows up!
“Maybe he is the same as Raul Meireles and he has started to settle down. I don’t know. Whatever the reason, we are just grateful for the job that he is doing.
“When he first came here, he was an attacking midfielder and was very highly thought of in Brazil. He came here and then sat a little bit deeper. If he wants to burst forward now, there is no problem.
“He has not got it in his contract that he is defensive midfielder. He is a Liverpool player. But he is capable of scoring goals. He is doing a fantastic job.”
Another midfielder that has become greater appreciated under Dalglish is Raul Meireles.
The Portuguese netted his fourth goal in five games to earn Liverpool victory at Stamford Bridge, and the Liverpool manager is confident there remains plenty to come from the £10.5million man.
“Anyone who knows anything about football would have known about Raul Merieles, he’s played for Portugal, he played in the World Cup,” says Dalglish.
“Most people take time to settle in, and if you do so straight away you’re very fortunate. Everyone’s different, you have to be patient. But Raul will feel a lot more comfortable now than when he came in, and has shown what he can do on the pitch.
“If he’s going to get better we have a lot to look forward to but we’re delighted with the progress he’s made.
“Some settle in straight away. Some take a little longer. But the return he’s getting from his performances is fantastic.”
Dalglish will be aiming to guide Liverpool to a fifth successive Premier League win this afternoon when his team entertain Wigan Athletic.
Both Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt this week joined the growing chorus for the Scot to have his Anfield tenure extended beyond the end of the season.
But a jovial Dalglish adds: “The boys are under pressure every time they get asked a question about the situation. Let’s be honest, they aren’t going to say 'he should get his P45', are they?! It’s their opinion.
“There has nothing been spoken about in way, shape or form. And it won’t guarantee them a game either!
“Everyone is enjoying themselves after winning four games, so as long as we continue enjoying it and acting responsible, that will be okay.
Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1Di8oJ22z
Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1Di8gh0QD
Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1Di8VZTcB
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