Brazilian Lucas Leiva admits he might not be able to continue being a squad player at Liverpool as he wants his international place back. The 22-year-old midfielder is very highly regarded in his homeland and already has three full caps to his name. But his displays this season for Liverpool have done anything but endear him to the Anfield faithful and many do not consider him to be capable of competing with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano for a central midfield berth. Whilst Rafa Benitez looks to have a great deal of faith in the former Gremio star - he admits he cannot afford to be kicking his heels on the sidelines if he wants to cement his place in Dunga's Brazil squad. Battle "I think I have played a lot, but the competition for places here is very high," he told Folha online. "The situation doesn't really worry me, but my objective has always been to play in order to make sure I am back with the national side. "Once the season is over, I will have to see what is the best option for me. "It is the World Cup next year and I will have to push to get this chance and you have to be playing to get called up." Lucas has seen himself drop out of Brazil squad and he admits he does not know why Dunga axed him. "I can't really explain what happened, but Dunga makes his own decisions," he said. "I was in the squad in the last four World Cup qualifiers and played against Bolivia, when the team didn't play well. "I believe that I'm part of a list of 30 or 40 players, but I'm out of the 22-men squad." Link
I never really fully believe these stories a lot can get Lost in Translation ! Also Sky Sports website is very close to red top journalism. A pouco mais de um ano da Copa do Mundo-2010, o volante Lucas não se considera "carta fora do baralho" na seleção brasileira, mas admite que não está no grupo dos favoritos do técnico Dunga. Até por isso, já pensa em uma transferência para recuperar o espaço perdido. No revezamento imposto pelo técnico Rafa BenÃtez no Liverpool, o brasileiro costuma ficar fora dos jogos mais importantes. As opções principais do treinador espanhol para a função de cabeça-de-área são o argentino Javier Mascherano e o espanhol Xabi Alonso. "Eu me considero um jogador bem utilizado, mas a concorrência é muito difÃcil. [A situação] Me incomoda porque meu objetivo é jogar sempre, voltar à seleção. Depois de terminar a temporada, tenho que ver o que vai ser bom para mim. Todo mundo quer jogar a Copa do Mundo. Então, se eu tenho essa oportunidade, vou em busca disso", disse o volante, por telefone, à Folha Online. Titular da seleção sub-23 na conquista da medalha de bronze nos Jogos OlÃmpicos de Pequim-2008, Lucas atuou pela equipe nacional adulta duas vezes no ano passado: contra Irlanda e BolÃvia. Em 2009, ainda não foi lembrado por Dunga. "Acho que fizemos uma grande OlimpÃada, mesmo tendo perdido para a Argentina [na semifinal]. Se você quiser estar na seleção, tem que estar jogando sempre, mas isso não é o principal." "É difÃcil dizer o que aconteceu, mas o Dunga tem suas opiniões, suas convicções. Eu estive nas últimas quatro partidas das eliminatórias, joguei contra a BolÃvia, quando a equipe não foi bem. Acredito que estou em uma lista de 30 ou 40 jogadores, mas estou fora do grupo dos 22 da seleção", concluiu Lucas. Na quinta, Dunga convocou a seleção para as partidas contra contra Equador, em 29 de março, em Quito, e Peru, no dia 1º de abril, em Porto Alegre (RS), pelas eliminatórias sul-americanas para a Copa. Para a posição de Lucas foram chamados Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos-GRE), Josué (Wolfsburg-ALE), Anderson (Manchester United-ING) e Felipe Melo (Fiorentina-ITA).
Lucas going nowhere In an interview on LFC tv this evening Lucas Levia dismissed this story and said he is going nowhere and that he want to fight for his 1st team place. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163636090317-0849.htm
Thought it was very nice of sky to release this story just as the young lad is after having one of his best games. They must be terrified the moron's won't be able to ring up "you're on sky sports" to complain about him.
Lucas is a very good squad player to have-make no mistake.Solid,if unspectaclular now with a view to being class one day.have a lot of respect for him for the way hes bounced back from the critics.A lot of young lads,especially foreign ones would have shirked responsibility but not lucas.The lads got to improve his tackling but he's got bottle and i hope he will do well here.
I agree with that. I stood by Lucas all the way this season. Recently though I thought he was only getting worse and gave up on him ever making it. Fair play to him though for bouncing back. He's still not spectacular but he's a good squad player and is showing great character. He could be a great player one day. Hopefully for Liverpool.
I would definitely agree that Lucas is a very good squad player to have but i still get the feeling that we haven't seen the best of him. Thought the game against manchester utd was one of his best so far, himself and masch completely out played carrick and anderson. Definitely think that he's one for the future but i suppose he is at that age now where he has to be playing regular football to improve and with Alonso, Masch and Gerrard there it doesn't leave much room for an improving youngster. Not to mention spearing coming up behind him who lets face it will win any popularity contest between the two by a country mile.