30 Sep 2015 12:24:48
Lucas gets a lot of stick on here but I thought I'd share some data on the weekend just gone.
Lucas completed more tackles than any other midfielder in the league last weekend (8). Matic was trailing just behind (5). In fact only one other player made more tackles than Matic and that was Newcastle defender Mbabu who matched Lucas' s tally (8).
Lucas also completed more passes than any other player in the league (100). Cazorla was well behind in second place (70).
Unspectacular? Yes. But highly effective at breaking up play and keeping possession to launch attacks. Hope he isn't dropped in a couple of months when Hendo is fit again. He is first name on the teamsheet for me.
30 Sep 2015 13:57:20
Only those who don`t really know the game or think a DM should be as flashy as a playmaker tlk crap about Lucas. The DM`s job is to be effective and nothing more and Lucas is arguably one of the top 3 in the PL right now at being effective
30 Sep 2015 14:05:01
IMO should be vice captain. Always liked Lucas even when he first came to LFC and struggled with his game. Love him. Good guy, good dad and a credit to the club.
30 Sep 2015 15:07:52
I don't think he gets a lock of stick, the argument is whether he's a top level player or just a good player. The debate around him should be does he make the team better? Sometimes he has a positive impact, other times he does not.
For me he's like Nicky Butt, a solid player that's an asset to any team but not a guy who's going to take the team to the next level. I want him at Liverpool but he's not the first name on the team sheet.
30 Sep 2015 15:52:48
Juventus wanted him. That's the Champions of Italy and arguably one if the top 5 teams in Europe who considered him good enough for their side.
He does have a positive impact. He anchors the midfield and as a rule we concede less possession and less goals whilst he is on the pitch. We also have a higher win ratio when he plays. Surely that is taking us to the next level? Without him we look weak in midfield.
It's an opinions game so fair enough if that's what you think mate, but for me he is absolutely a top level player and 100% the first name on the team sheet for us.
30 Sep 2015 15:54:10
Disagree but you only see how much lucas brings to the game when you watch him at the ground
30 Sep 2015 16:02:15
There's only one problem with him. That is when defending in the final 3rd Lucas becomes a liabilty. He leaves the the edge of the penalty area empty where oppositions midfielders easily occupy good positions and make us vulnerable. Also look hiw easily he lost his marker for the 1st Villa goal
30 Sep 2015 16:09:40
Agree 100% with muscatred.
He is a decent committed player. Nothing more or less.
Good to have as a backup.
But a very good professional from whom youngsters can learn on how to conduct.
30 Sep 2015 16:34:53
Hey EMS, last season we had a better win ratio with him in the team but it was worse in 13/14 (we averaged 1.83 pts from the 20 games Lucas started, 2.67 from the 18 games he didn't).
As I say I really like the guy and I'm delighted he stayed but I don't think he's as good as you think he is.
30 Sep 2015 16:51:55
He's far from amazing but it's not a glamorous role he plays.
Lost count how many stupid fouls he's given away In dangerous positions but I like Lucas he works hard. Scapegoat of the century when in truth he's no better nor worse than anyone else in our average squad tbh
30 Sep 2015 16:59:06
I like Lucas, I think he is a great pro, I think he is our best defensive midfielder ( Can is potentially better but would be wasted there) and to top it off he seems like a nice guy
However I've never thought he was top drawer and I would have sold him to replace him with a top drawer DM
30 Sep 2015 19:27:33
If Can doesn`t improve his awareness, anticipation and positioning, he will never be in Lucas` class and this is coming from a Can fan.
01 Oct 2015 12:16:33
Can doesn't have the nous of Lucas yet or the discipline (often gets caught out defensively) but may become a great DM at some point with some nurturing.
As to Lucas, I think he's fantastic, a great human being and fantastic servant of the club, but in situations where we face fast breaking counterattacks we look vulnerable as he's not as mobile as he was, he needs to be an to read the play early and/or have other energetic midfielders to break down play before it gets too loose.
I would play him against top 4 sides where we expect to face intense pressure (when he's invaluable), and in games with milner/hendo alongside him to help break down play, but if we have slower players like Can in midfield, and/or facing pacy counterattacking sides like Crystal Palace, I would rather have someone else more mobile.