Lucas out for rest of season
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I hope not, and that's no criticism of Lucas. On the contrary, it'll show we've continued to improve as a squad, which is what we need to do.
Quite possibly both - Spearing initially and then a possible January signing.
Lucas Leiva today delivered a heartfelt message to Liverpool fans all around the world for the messages of support they have sent him following news he will miss the remainder of the current season.
It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon the Brazil midfielder will undergo surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained against Chelsea, meaning he will sit out the remainder of the 2011-12 campaign.
Since then, thousands of fans have joined LFC players and staff in sending their 'get well soon' messages to the 24-year-old - and Lucas admits such support will act as a spur as he takes the first steps on the road to full fitness.
"I didn't realise what an impact my injury could make on the fans," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "A lot of people have been sending me positive messages, and this makes me feel stronger.
"I know at the moment I haven't had time to think too much about the injury and I am just trying to get everything ready for the operation, but I know when I have difficult times during my rehab one of the things that I will remember will be the messages.
"I want to say thank you very much for all the messages the fans have sent me on the website and on my Twitter page too. I have read a lot of them and all of them have been very positive. They have given me more confidence to come back strongly."
Lucas has been inundated with messages from fans and both former and current Reds players on his Twitter pages, while over 2,000 posts were made wishing him a speedy recovery on Liverpoolfc.tv in less than 24 hours.
It's not just those connected to Liverpool who have been in touch with the No.21 as even Chelsea's Juan Mata contacted him to offer his support.
Lucas added: "I have worked hard to get people to believe in me and my football - and I can see the fans appreciate the work I have done.
"Even in difficult times, I have put my head down and worked really hard to achieve things and try to be an important player for the club.
"I want to say many thanks to the fans. There are no words I can say to express how much I appreciate all of the messages and positive thinking all of them are sending to me.
"When I come back onto the pitch, I will repay everything they are doing at the moment for me and keep wearing the shirt with pride.
"They are really important for me because it will be a difficult time and it will be important to have the messages I have received."
The injury comes on the back of three performances in which Lucas was a strong contender for man of the match against Chelsea twice and Manchester City at Anfield.
"I am sure I was in my best form - even when I had a great season in Brazil, it was nowhere near how I was playing here," he said. "It's a pity the injury has come at this moment in time, but there is never a good time to have an injury.
"I have spoken with a lot of friends and other players, 80 per cent of other players have had an injury but came back stronger and are playing fantastic football. That's what I am trying to focus on.
"When I come back, the image the fans have of me will be of the last three games I played against Chelsea, City and Chelsea again - and I will use those games to give me more motivation to come back stronger and fitter.
"I think I will be stronger mentally as well because it is a difficult time for me, but I will deal with it and I won't give up because it is not part of my character."
Lucas will now join fans in cheering Liverpool on in the remainder of the season - and he's already dreaming of joining his teammates at Wembley next year if they can go all the way in the Carling Cup.
He said: "Now I will be another fan, supporting the team, watching the games and I am already hoping I will be at Wembley to get a medal.
"I have to support my teammates, hopefully they will have a very good season and next season I will come back to play an important role in the team again.
"I have never had any doubts about Liverpool Football Club or the fans, but this kind of thing just shows how special the Liverpool fans are. I am sure all throughout my recovery the fans will be sending me messages.
"All of my life, and in my career here at Liverpool, nothing has been easy. It's another obstacle but I am sure I will achieve everything I dream of in a Liverpool shirt and I will be back sooner than people expect.
It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon the Brazil midfielder will undergo surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained against Chelsea, meaning he will sit out the remainder of the 2011-12 campaign.
Since then, thousands of fans have joined LFC players and staff in sending their 'get well soon' messages to the 24-year-old - and Lucas admits such support will act as a spur as he takes the first steps on the road to full fitness.
"I didn't realise what an impact my injury could make on the fans," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "A lot of people have been sending me positive messages, and this makes me feel stronger.
"I know at the moment I haven't had time to think too much about the injury and I am just trying to get everything ready for the operation, but I know when I have difficult times during my rehab one of the things that I will remember will be the messages.
"I want to say thank you very much for all the messages the fans have sent me on the website and on my Twitter page too. I have read a lot of them and all of them have been very positive. They have given me more confidence to come back strongly."
Lucas has been inundated with messages from fans and both former and current Reds players on his Twitter pages, while over 2,000 posts were made wishing him a speedy recovery on Liverpoolfc.tv in less than 24 hours.
It's not just those connected to Liverpool who have been in touch with the No.21 as even Chelsea's Juan Mata contacted him to offer his support.
Lucas added: "I have worked hard to get people to believe in me and my football - and I can see the fans appreciate the work I have done.
"Even in difficult times, I have put my head down and worked really hard to achieve things and try to be an important player for the club.
"I want to say many thanks to the fans. There are no words I can say to express how much I appreciate all of the messages and positive thinking all of them are sending to me.
"When I come back onto the pitch, I will repay everything they are doing at the moment for me and keep wearing the shirt with pride.
"They are really important for me because it will be a difficult time and it will be important to have the messages I have received."
The injury comes on the back of three performances in which Lucas was a strong contender for man of the match against Chelsea twice and Manchester City at Anfield.
"I am sure I was in my best form - even when I had a great season in Brazil, it was nowhere near how I was playing here," he said. "It's a pity the injury has come at this moment in time, but there is never a good time to have an injury.
"I have spoken with a lot of friends and other players, 80 per cent of other players have had an injury but came back stronger and are playing fantastic football. That's what I am trying to focus on.
"When I come back, the image the fans have of me will be of the last three games I played against Chelsea, City and Chelsea again - and I will use those games to give me more motivation to come back stronger and fitter.
"I think I will be stronger mentally as well because it is a difficult time for me, but I will deal with it and I won't give up because it is not part of my character."
Lucas will now join fans in cheering Liverpool on in the remainder of the season - and he's already dreaming of joining his teammates at Wembley next year if they can go all the way in the Carling Cup.
He said: "Now I will be another fan, supporting the team, watching the games and I am already hoping I will be at Wembley to get a medal.
"I have to support my teammates, hopefully they will have a very good season and next season I will come back to play an important role in the team again.
"I have never had any doubts about Liverpool Football Club or the fans, but this kind of thing just shows how special the Liverpool fans are. I am sure all throughout my recovery the fans will be sending me messages.
"All of my life, and in my career here at Liverpool, nothing has been easy. It's another obstacle but I am sure I will achieve everything I dream of in a Liverpool shirt and I will be back sooner than people expect.
I like this part best.
:'(
:'(
Wow...he has got heart and determination.
Respect.
Respect.
I just had a kind of flash of us winning a trophy this season and Lucas coming onto the pitch to celebrate with Maxi, who scored the winning goal. Wow, what a detailed flash!
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says the club will be tested by midfielder Lucas Leiva's absence with a knee injury. Lucas, 24, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup win over Chelsea.
"It is a huge disappointment for everybody but more importantly for Lucas," said Dalglish. "It is at times like this you are tested but we have been happy with the squad and the results reflect that."
The Liverpool manager added: "We are disappointed he has picked up an injury but it is not career-threatening. He's been playing well for us but it is part and parcel of football, I suppose. Lucas is not moping about feeling sorry for himself. We can do that, we can feel sorry for him. But we cannot feel sorry for ourselves and we have plenty of people who can have a go and won't let us down. You saw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night there were a lot of really good performances."
On Tuesday, Lucas tweeted: "I am really sad with the news because I was enjoying a lot on the pitch. I am sure I will come back stronger I will achieve everything that I dream with the LFC shirt. I am sure I'll NEVER WALK ALONE."
The Brazil international, who arrived at Anfield from Gremio in 2007, will have surgery before a prolonged spell out of action.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been absent with ankle infection since 22 October, so the club have recalled 19-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from his loan at Blackpool as cover.
Jordan Henderson, who has mostly been deployed on the right of midfield since his £20m move from Sunderland in the summer - or Jay Spearing - may fill in alongside Charlie Adam in the centre of Liverpool midfield.
After struggling for form during his first few years at Liverpool, Lucas has become a key part of the Merseysiders' midfield filling the anchorman role left vacant by Javier Mascherano's departure to Barcelona in August 2010. He signed a contract extension in March and has started 12 of the Reds' first 13 Premier League games this term.
"It is a huge disappointment for everybody but more importantly for Lucas," said Dalglish. "It is at times like this you are tested but we have been happy with the squad and the results reflect that."
The Liverpool manager added: "We are disappointed he has picked up an injury but it is not career-threatening. He's been playing well for us but it is part and parcel of football, I suppose. Lucas is not moping about feeling sorry for himself. We can do that, we can feel sorry for him. But we cannot feel sorry for ourselves and we have plenty of people who can have a go and won't let us down. You saw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night there were a lot of really good performances."
On Tuesday, Lucas tweeted: "I am really sad with the news because I was enjoying a lot on the pitch. I am sure I will come back stronger I will achieve everything that I dream with the LFC shirt. I am sure I'll NEVER WALK ALONE."
The Brazil international, who arrived at Anfield from Gremio in 2007, will have surgery before a prolonged spell out of action.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been absent with ankle infection since 22 October, so the club have recalled 19-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from his loan at Blackpool as cover.
Jordan Henderson, who has mostly been deployed on the right of midfield since his £20m move from Sunderland in the summer - or Jay Spearing - may fill in alongside Charlie Adam in the centre of Liverpool midfield.
After struggling for form during his first few years at Liverpool, Lucas has become a key part of the Merseysiders' midfield filling the anchorman role left vacant by Javier Mascherano's departure to Barcelona in August 2010. He signed a contract extension in March and has started 12 of the Reds' first 13 Premier League games this term.
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
The cirurgy was successful! It happened yesterday night at São Paulo, Brazil.
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I´m feeling good and i hope to recover as soon as possible! Thank you all for the messages! #YNWA
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
@ @empireofthekop Thanks for messages! Bye
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I'm going rest. Thanks for all support. #Ynwa
9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I'm also missing you! I will be back as soon as possible! Thanks! #YNWA
You hang up. No you hang up
The cirurgy was successful! It happened yesterday night at São Paulo, Brazil.
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I´m feeling good and i hope to recover as soon as possible! Thank you all for the messages! #YNWA
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
@ @empireofthekop Thanks for messages! Bye
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I'm going rest. Thanks for all support. #Ynwa
9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
LucasLeiva87 Lucas Leiva
I'm also missing you! I will be back as soon as possible! Thanks! #YNWA
You hang up. No you hang up
S
Squiggles
Guest
He's starting to fuck me off again.
With Lucas out of the side, Liverpool has scored 7 goals in their last 7 matches.
Prior to his injury, Liverpool managed 17 goals in 13 Premier League matches, and 9 goals in 4 Carling Cup matches.
So much for the theory that Lucas holds back our attacking impetus. I think he's growing into the Didi role just nicely, now we just need a Leverkusen-type game to drive home that point.
Prior to his injury, Liverpool managed 17 goals in 13 Premier League matches, and 9 goals in 4 Carling Cup matches.
So much for the theory that Lucas holds back our attacking impetus. I think he's growing into the Didi role just nicely, now we just need a Leverkusen-type game to drive home that point.
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