Lucas Leiva

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 09/01/1987  
Height: 5'8  
1st team games: 50
1st team goals: 4  
International caps: 19  
International goals: 4
Former clubs: Gremio  
Birth Place: Dourados, Brazil

2006 was a successful year for Lucas at Grêmio, winning the Rio Grande do Sul state championship (the Campeonato Gaúcho) for the first time since 2001, and also coming third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Lucas also became the youngest player to ever to receive Placar magazine's Bola de Ouro (Golden Ball), given to the best player in the Campeonato Brasileiro — an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Falcão, Careca, Alex, Fowi, Romario, Kaká and Tevez.

His form in 2006 led to reported interest from many major European clubs including offers from top Spanish clubs and Inter. It was Liverpool that proved most attractive to the player, however, and on 13 May 2007 the club confirmed they had signed the player from Grêmio before the start of the 2007–08 season.

Since his arrival against Liverpool, his form had been patchy, as Rafa Benitez didn't know where best to fit him into the side. He finally settled for a Central Midfield role, pushing forward to help attacking thrusts, much like he did at Gremio.

On October 25, 2009, Lucas bossed and bullied Scholes and Giggs around Anfield and kicked major ass ( ) - helping set up a memorable 2-0 win, without their inspirational captain, Steven Gerrard.

By the way, don't be a bandwagoner. Support him or don't support him, your choice. But just remember, I WAS SUPPORTING HIM FROM DAY ONE!

Oh, and he really should do something about that hair cut 

I think he's been very consistent this year. He's been solid, and he stepped it up 1 or 2 notches against United. He does have a knack of playing well in the big games come to think of it.

I'm not waiting on him to be Alonso v2. I'm just hoping to see Lucas v1 - and I think we're starting to see that now

See... i just don't get this.  We're talking about professional athletes here. Playing football is Lucas' life.  If he, or anyone else for that matter, lets the boos get to him, then God help him because he just won't make it in this profession. 

and frankly in the past, he deserved the criticism. 

i'm glad Lucas has improved... really i am.  I still think he has more to learn and i'm confident he will get there. I never wanted him to fail - and i hope he keeps this up.

that was by far his best game in a liverpool shirt by a country mile.it was a joy to finally see just what he can do but its now up to him to keep up that standard....

yes in the past ive have been very critical of lucas and rightly so,up until this season he has been a liability,fans only remember what you have done in the past and what he did was nothing so he is gonna have to work doubly hard to earn the trust of fans after his displays of the past but sayin that if he can keep up the performance of yesterday and consistanly put on displays like that then he shouldnt have a problem...

a long time in coming but well done lucas its now up to you to keep it up

i think we have to remember that the guy is still young and has alot 2 learn .. he was top class yesterday tho

Other players have regularly put in match-winning performances though...Lucas has not.

He contributed a lot yesterday, but his red card against Everton went a long way to losing the FA Cup tie at Goodison Park last season and his awful challenge gave away two crucial points at Wigan last season.

I don't think anyone should be carried away with his performance yesterday.

Yes but there would have been groups like that for Benayoun this time last season, or Kuyt the season before...

I'm not saying Lucas should be in the team every week, because i don't think he's ready or is good enough at the minute...

But one thing is clear, is the guy has improved(and is still improving ) alot in the last while

People used to say Lucas was lightweight, pulled out of tackles and could be brushed aside in midfield (which was true) but can that still be leveled against him now?

I seen the stats for Lucas against the Mancs: and he only give the ball away once out of 35 passes(and he's had similar stats all season), i think this is one of his big pluses now...along with his strenth on the ball, something that was unthinkable 12 months ago.