22 Oct 2015 14:18:31
The differing views on Lucas are interesting. I think a lot of people have come to love him because of the attitude and commitment he has shown despite not always being a regular in the team, despite being messed around a bit by management and despite having some bad luck with injuries. I certainly have huge admiration and affection for him for these reasons. However, let's not allow this to cloud our view on Lucas's playing abilities. He's not top drawer (or top four) quality.

Is he the best player we have in that out and out defensive midfielder role? Yes. Do the stats suggest that we get better results when he plays? Yes. Do we play better football when he's in the team? Arguably we do, but all of this isn't simply down to Lucas as an individual, it's down to the fact that if he plays, it means we're setting out the team in a certain way that also allows other players in other positions to be at their best. And that's why it's such a key position. The best players in this position protect the back four and liberate the attacking players.

For me, based on the current squad and the optimal formation and personnel to get the best out of all of our players, Lucas should be in the team whenever he's fit, probably alongside another powerful, running central midfielder in front of a back four and behind an attacking trio supporting one striker. However, if we had a top drawer defensive central midfielder at the club (Mascherano, Hamann, Matic, Makalele), Lucas wouldn't be in the side, and I think bringing in top drawer quality in this position should be our number one priority, particularly if we're going to line up under Klopp in the way that everybody expects.

So, lots of admiration for Lucas, and within the constraints of our current squad, he should be in the first team, but bringing in an upgrade in that position should be our top transfer priority, which would consign Lucas to a squad role.

{Ed001's Note - whereas I disagree, I think he is far better than you give him credit for, twice the player of that vile little rat Mascherano. Similar level to Hamann, not quite Makalele or Matic at his best.}

1.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:01:48
I think Lucas is playing really well, for me there is not too many players that could replace him without spending silly money even then there are not too many better in his position, I am glad now that we got a manager that will appreciate him and an injury free Lucas is vital to this team.

2.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:04:28
Lucas is not as good as any of those 4 imo let alone twice the player Mascherano is, whether he's a vile little rat or not as you put it, is neither here nor there, I think most people would pick him over Lucas. I would anyway but I don't have your expertise just an opinion.

3.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:05:26
I like this post, football is all about opinions and everyone has views on who the best player and that is but if it's put across the right way without too much slating I think people will understand people's views much better (whilst they may not agree with them) I'm kinda with the above poster and not ED001 on this one, think lucas has been through pretty much hell whilst at lfc and I have huge admiration for him and how many times he has got back up after being knocked down, I still ask myself a question, would he get into a premier league winning starting 11? I'm not so sure but hey just my opinion and I suppose we would never know and I tend to believe you appreciate better players after they leave the club. Hopefully with klopp he might get a good run of games because I think lucas needs lots of games to get his sharpness back upto speed and hey who knows he might be in a premier league winning team @ lfc in the coming years.

4.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:06:16
Lucas is a decent player like Ed01 said above, but had we bought a top class DM after Masch was sold, Lucas would have been a fringe player long back.
There are better DM outside. We will have to pay top dollar to land one. The club along with Brendan spend close to 300 million without looking into a top class DM nor s Playmaker.

For eg. Medal is a better player than Lucas in his position.
My fav player is at Sevilla.

5.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 14:51:57
Ed001, whatever you view on what mascherano done to get his move and as much as I rate Lucas as a player. Twice the player mascherano is, I don't think so. Mash is world class and that can't be be said for Lucas.

{Ed001's Note - he has never been world class, most overrated midfielder I have ever seen. Just because he ran around a lot didn't mean he was any good.}

6.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:11:30
It makes me happy when I see him in the starting 11, he's got a love for the club, keeping him over the summer was one of the best bits of business we did I think.

7.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:27:58
Mascherano was a very limited player, I can't remember much he did was great on the ball and the reason he used to run around a lot and make last ditch tackles because he was out of position, Alonso made Mascherano look a good player.

8.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 16:05:35
Agree with the OP, I like Lucas a lot and he's our best DM but I've been saying for 3 seasons he's not the best we could or should have.
As for saying he's as good as Hamann that's just ridiculous.

9.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 16:30:09
I think Lucas is okay, I always feel like we are a little more stable (more recently) when he's on the team sheet. I also have to agree with others about his passion and commitment to the club which is a breath of fresh air. But then again, time after time I have noticed he is very error prone. I realise he's the type of player that likes to break up play, which as a result, fouls will be committed - more regularly than other players in relation to their position. But the sheer number of dangerous areas he commits into with poorly timed challenges or slow/hesitant play is what puts me on edge with him. He never let's us down with his read of the game (which is his saving grace),
I just feel he lacks a little bit of speed and imagination. And I think players also know they can take advantage of Lucas when he's on the ball, they don't fear making a mistake against him. Don't think anyone can play his position better than him at the moment which doesn't mean much I suppose (We lack a little currently for that role). Who knows, he looked a lot better in the Tottenham game. Perhaps (And I do hope) he can do some great things under Klopp.

10.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 16:31:21
I agree on Ed001 opinion on masch

before this site morphed into what it is now, remember commenting on how we wouldn't win the league because we didn't score enough

forget fact his position was DM- he has to bring something else to the party and simply didn't.

however, Lucas doesn't weigh in with goals either.

we have only had, IMHO, Hamann (and although not tagged as "defensive") Alonso who did that.

11.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 16:46:12
Lucas is a much better player than Mascherano, I like Mascherano as a player but Lucas is just so much more composed in that role.
How many players in Europe can say that whenever they play the teams win rate shoots up as much as Lucas? Only a handful no doubt.
He's not world class but he is easily top 4 quality but his attitude and commitment IS world class and that can be just as important if not more so in the modern game.
Could you imagine what Suarez would have cost Barcelona if he had the attitude of Lucas and not a little runt?

12.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 16:55:02
A bit overrated for me, especially at this stage of his career. He is Ok, I am not saying he is a bad player but he gets a lot of credit for our successes and is never to be blamed for our poor defence even though a lot of our problems in defence is how poor our midfield defence is and how often opposition gets near our goal. The opposite of Skertl and Mings who always are blamed for poor results and never get credit for clean sheets. I agree Masch is also slightly overrated but still a much better player for me.

13.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:29:55
Lucas Twice the player of Masch haha. C'mon ed this is the most outrageous thing you've suggested since wanting Erik Lamela in a red shirt.

{Ed001's Note - why? Is running round a lot now the mark of a good player? If so why isn't Milner liked by anyone?}

14.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 17:12:30
If Masch was as good as many claim on here, why has he almost NEVER played a single game for Barcelona at DM or is Guardiola or Enrique that clueless not to play him there?

15.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 17:16:32
There's very little of a defence without Lucas.

16.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 17:28:26
I'm sorry guys, Hamann was the best for me. So controlled, never seemed to worry, just read the game perfectly. Him Xabi and Gerrard would be choice of spine in years gone by.

17.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:12:21
Love Lucas. His attitude is first class and if half the team had the same values we'd be much higher up the league. For me his only failing is the amount of silly fouls he gives away in his own half - too eager to get a foot in instead of standing up and jockeying a player.

18.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:15:05
Neither Lucas nor Masch World class! Neither twice as good as the other! Excellent original post RR and agree entirely. Lucas excellent embassador and hugely decent chap and a decent player as was Masch but yep we need a WC CDM as a matter of priority for me!

19.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:51:37
In my opinion a DM is no where near a priority at this moment in time. We have Lucas who whether you think he is world class or not is more than capable fulfilling the role whereas there are other positions that we are severely lacking in quality such as GK, CD and traditional winger (not a ACM pigeon-holed into a wingers role)

In regards to Lucas, I personally think we have not only got a quality DM but also a leader with experience that more importantly communicates on the pitch. This in itself is a quality we are severely lacking at the moment with our current Capt/Vice Capt both being very quiet. Also people need to remember Lucas was originally bought as an attacking midfielder and spent his early Liverpool career trying to learn a new position while living in xabi alonso's shadow. As a result the guy got tons and tons of stick for a number of seasons. He's since up'd his game vastly and has stuck with Liverpool when the majority of players would have thrown in the towel. I personally would prefer a player that might not be world class but will always play his heart out for the supporters. In my book he should be first name on the team sheet and possibly captain if not definitely vice captain.

20.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:53:25
Agree with Ed1's comment.

21.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 19:05:30
Mascherano is the best defensive midfielder in the world. He was the one who took Argentina to the final of the world cup, not Messi. He was the best player at the tournament too. He understood his job and did it well. He wasn't someone who had to pass the ball 40 yards, he had to get the ball back and give it to Alonso/Gerrard. He did that perfectly. He wasn't as good in 2009/10 because he didn't have an Alonso to pass to. Only Gerrard who seemed downhearted that Alonso left and wasn't replaced when they were so close to the title.