Lucas Leiva

[The_Adder]

What can he reasonably expect being part of this squad in terms of development and games? Hes the Brazilian footy player of the year, now a full international, was Capt of the Brazil under 20s and has played in the South American equivalent of the Champs League Final.

 

Is obvious we have a ridiculous amount of talent in midfield (we've got the best midfield in world afterall!), just wondering how much he'll get chance to develop more than anything?

 

If he gets the chance I reckon he could be to us what Fabregas (now the best midfielder the world has ever seen if you listen to an a*** fan) is to the a***, hes certainly got the tools the lad.

 

I like the look of him, reckon he could be a star

[psl]

What makes you think he could be anything like Fabregas?

[Murphman]

He's nothing like Fabregas in style, I watched him against Reading, obviously a good player, comfortable on the ball and a good passer but that night he played more of a defensive roll than Fabregas does.I'm struggling as to whether he's one for the future or a viable challenger for a place this season already. Depends on injuries to a degree I suppose.

[Sion]

What makes you think he could be anything like Fabregas?

 

I don't agree with the comparison, but he was certainly fairly attacking in Brazil. Not your Sissoko/Mascherano type.

[honourablegeorge]

Think the question about hsi development is a good one - he's gone from a starring role and being player of the year in Brazil, to Liverpool reserves, with an absolute stack of quality ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

If he doesn't get enough competitve football, it could hurt his development a lot.

[The_Adder]

What makes you think he could be anything like Fabregas?

 

I meant in terms of impact on the 1st team. He could be as good as Fabregas in terms of ability, not in style of play.

[Bailo]

Meant to be more of a box-to-box player like gerrard according to Tim Vickery.

[theredfella]

Looked good in patches against Reading if somewhat anonymous in the last twenty or so. What I was definitely impressed with was his calmness on the ball and the way he looked to keep the ball on the deck.

 

Bit early to tell about him long term though.

[Gunga Din]

this season i'd expect him to get settled, learn English, and maybe play 10-15 games

[Knox_Harrington]

There's the African Nations Cup as well to consider.

 

This season isn't the question mark season. It's next when we have to make a decision on Mascherano.

[theredfella]

There's the African Nations Cup as well to consider.

 

This season isn't the question mark season. It's next when we have to make a decision on Mascherano.

 

It's the end of this season when we make a decision as that'll be the eighteen month loan deal up.

 

Or is that what you meant?

[honourablegeorge]

There's the African Nations Cup as well to consider.

 

This season isn't the question mark season. It's next when we have to make a decision on Mascherano.

 

 

Had forgotten about the ANC - how long's Momo away for?

 

I'd hate to see Mascherano end up somewhere else.

[fred milne]

There's the African Nations Cup as well to consider.

That's a good shout. Rafa is likely to use him as Gerrard's understudy when Sissoko goes off.

[Gunga Din]

have Mali qualified?

[cymrococh]

[will]it's African Cup of Nations[/will]

[Ronnie Whelan]

There's the African Nations Cup as well to consider.

 

This season isn't the question mark season. It's next when we have to make a decision on Mascherano.

 

 

Good call re Mascherano. Moving to a different continent and having to learn a new language is enough for one season in a lad so young. Let him settle and im sure he will be up there for starts next season, especially if nothing is resolved on the Masch front.

[Gilps]

have Mali qualified?

 

Not yet but they will do if they get a result next week.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Personally I would like to see him come on for a few games in Anfield as a sub when we are 2 to 3 nil up.

 

However, as we only have 4 outfield subs (1 GK), I think Rafa will pick subs that can change a game if its not going our way and not pick subs so that he can throw them on as he expects us to be winning. Tough one really.

 

Therefore I dont expect to see him on the bench much in league games, maybe in CL games as we can pick 7 subs. Also throw him into the Carling Cup games and maybe some FA Cup games.

 

I think its crazy that some people select him in their teams from the start in some league games. He needs to be introduced gradually rather than flinging him. If we ever lost a game when Leiva started then Rafa would be grilled and the same people who pick him in their teams would be questioning Rafa. We have enough talent in midfield to do without him, phase him in.

[whitewidow]

Is the ACoN even on - or did Momo make it up?

[redjersey]

Not yet but they will do if they get a result next week.

Mali are level on points with Togo at the moment. They play them next week - if they win they definitely qualify. A draw would mean they miss out if Benin, as seems likely, beat Sierra Leone.

 

I'd imagine Lucas is hoping for a Mali win.

[Gilps]

I knew it was something like that, I just couldn't be arsed to type out all the permutations.

[fred milne]

I think its crazy that some people select him in their teams from the start in some league games.

He's not some 16 year old rookie. He's 20 yrs old, Brazilian footballer of the year and a full international.

 

He should be able to handle a Premiership start playing alongside the likes of Gerrard, Alonso or Mascherano and in front of the likes of Reina, Hyypia and Carragher.

[The_Adder]

He's not some 16 year old rookie. He's 20 yrs old, Brazilian footballer of the year and a full international.

 

He should be able to handle a Premiership start playing alongside the likes of Gerrard, Alonso or Mascherano and in front of the likes of Reina, Hyypia and Carragher.

 

Correct.

[honourablegeorge]

Personally I would like to see a few games in Anfield when we are 2 to 3 nil up.

 

 

Edited October 3, 2007 by honourablegeorge

[Conor]

He's not some 16 year old rookie. He's 20 yrs old, Brazilian footballer of the year and a full international.

 

He should be able to handle a Premiership start playing alongside the likes of Gerrard, Alonso or Mascherano and in front of the likes of Reina, Hyypia and Carragher.

 

Could not agree more. I have a feeling we may see him more towards the end of the year. He certainly looks like he has a future here and he was one of Rafa's first buys since Gillet and Hicks took over so it's clear he was highly rated. How many games has he played so far?