Lucas

[Ryan]

Yeah. Henderson isn't ideally suited to that position at all and we do need another. But we didn't concede. Whereas we did concede 6 with Lucas there a few months ago.

I know, I've no idea why we only played with 1 player that day.

 

[Leo]

He was at the peak of his form 2 years ago, when he was by a distance the best defensive midfielder in the competition. Rodgers decided to play him in a league cup game, for whatever fucking reason, and he tore his ACL, which is more or less the worst injury you can get and out him out for a year.

Since then he's had 4 thigh injuries, and an MCL.

It's pretty much ruined him.

People clamouring over which queue of European clubs will be lining up to take him; well it'd probably be the same list of European heavyweights who lined up to take Van Persie this summer, another player who's career is almost defunct because of prolonged injuries.

It happens.

Could be wrong here but wasn't it the Carling cup game against Chelsea about 4 years ago when Lucas done his acl.
It was the year we won it under Dalglish.
He was terrific all of that year though you're right.
But I'm almost certain it was that game he done it.
Bellamy had a stormer it was a couple of days after Gary Speed's death.

 

[Wiberg]

November 11. Yes. That's when we lost the best version of Lucas. I think he is the best option as DM available like others in this thread. Would have preferred to see Allen leave first.

Good luck to him.

 

[Woland]

I know, I've no idea why we only played with 1 player that day.

Nope, Joe Allen was playing as well. Your dream team is fucking shite. Thankfully Teeth can see that too.

 

[leftpeg]

Teeth...haha!

 

[Woland]

That's copyright Sheik, but it really oughta stick.

 

[Dreambeliever]

He was at the peak of his form 2 years ago, when he was by a distance the best defensive midfielder in the competition. Rodgers decided to play him in a league cup game, for whatever fucking reason, and he tore his ACL, which is more or less the worst injury you can get and out him out for a year.

Since then he's had 4 thigh injuries, and an MCL.

It's pretty much ruined him.

People clamouring over which queue of European clubs will be lining up to take him; well it'd probably be the same list of European heavyweights who lined up to take Van Persie this summer, another player who's career is almost defunct because of prolonged injuries.

It happens.

Hang on didn't you just say we should keep him

 

[Ryan]

Could be wrong here but wasn't it the Carling cup game against Chelsea about 4 years ago when Lucas done his acl.
It was the year we won it under Dalglish.
He was terrific all of that year though you're right.
But I'm almost certain it was that game he done it.
Bellamy had a stormer it was a couple of days after Gary Speed's death.

Yep, you're right, then you're wrong.

It was the game at Chelsea under Dalglish, but the 'Bellamy had a stormer' game was a different match.

 

[Ryan]

Hang on didn't you just say we should keep him

We should keep him, yes, but it looks likely that he's going to leave. They're different things Dreamy.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

That's copyright Sheik, but it really oughta stick.

*Beams*

 

[Dreambeliever]

We should keep him, yes, but it looks likely that he's going to leave. They're different things Dreamy.

You said his injuries have ruined him, yet you believe we should keep him?

Why in Gods name would we keep a player who is ruined and picks up injuries like you do fashionable outfits that stand the test of time?

 

[Ryan]

You said his injuries have ruined him, yet you believe we should keep him?

Why in Gods name would we keep a player who is ruined and picks up injuries like you do fashionable outfits that stand the test of time?

I meant that those injuries have brought him down from the player he was at the time. I'd like us to keep him cos he's still a capable player despite all that, and he's still our best option for that role.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

The trouble with using "with him / without him" stats to argue a player's value to a club:

 

[dmishra]

Are we going to sign a replacement then?

 

[Dreambeliever]

I meant that those injuries have brought him down from the player he was at the time. I'd like us to keep him cos he's still a capable player despite all that, and he's still our best option for that role.

Considering when he was bought he had played his entire career as 'box to box' midfielder and then was remoulded into a DM by Rafa, would it not be a better option to look at some of the talent we already have and try and mould them to that position, like say Can, instead of sticking with someone by your own admission is far from the best he has produced for us in that role?

Perhaps a little short term pain would be worth the long term gain while the new DM adjusts.

 

[Arn]

I could understand if we sold Lucas and signed up a quality replacement but never understand if we sold him and no replacement is signed. What happens if Henderson/Milner/Can gets injured?

How many believe that the "mighty" Allen is better than Lucas as a DM? Sell Allen instead. We need Lucas as cover.

 

[Rosco]

The trouble with using "with him / without him" stats to argue a player's value to a club:

Sample sizes might explain it

 

[Judge Jules]

Considering when he was bought he had played his entire career as 'box to box' midfielder and then was remoulded into a DM by Rafa, would it not be a better option to look at some of the talent we already have and try and mould them to that position, like say Can, instead of sticking with someone by your own admission is far from the best he has produced for us in that role?

Perhaps a little short term pain would be worth the long term gain while the new DM adjusts.

Neither of the above. Enough already with this idea of "moulding" players to play in a different position from the one in which they first caught our eye. Quit trying to turn apples into oranges - get a proper specialist in.

 

[Frogfish]

Quit trying to turn apples into oranges - get a proper specialist in.

That's not going to happen JJ. As Pearce points out in this decent article, in 7 transfer windows Rodgers hasn't bought one 'DM' type player :

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-liverpool-fcs-need-defensive-9837986

 

[cloggypop]

The last DM we bought was Poulsen.

 

[Judge Jules]

Yeah, fair point. In that case my answer is no - mend fences with Lucas. There's zero guarantee that trying to alter one of our other players will produce results any better than, or even as good as, those which Lucas has been able to produce lately.

 

[Buddha]

Chivarella will end up being promoted to 5th choice.

 

[Woland]

One of the good things about Lucas being too shit to make the squad is that all the bellends will be able to blame his absence every time we get beat.

 

[Ryan]

Considering when he was bought he had played his entire career as 'box to box' midfielder and then was remoulded into a DM by Rafa, would it not be a better option to look at some of the talent we already have and try and mould them to that position, like say Can, instead of sticking with someone by your own admission is far from the best he has produced for us in that role?

Perhaps a little short term pain would be worth the long term gain while the new DM adjusts.

Sure - and I agree to an extent, but Rodgers isn't and can't play the long game. He'll be gone by January if he puts up the same first half of the season as he did last year.

 

[Oncy]

Shame to see the end of his career with us pan out like this.
I love Lucas, I think hes a really good footballer. Most of the fans at this club if we had Makalele would moan he doesnt score or create or 'Do anything'.

Thats beside the point though, 300 games, 9 years, every bead of sweat. Not just that but he does fuckloads in the community with kids, at schools, hospitals etc, he really gets the club and is one of the least detached stars we have had in recent years. I dont really care if hes hated by most or not, I like him and think that in the main part we look better with Lucas in the team.

Good luck Wonderman. Ive LOVED your work.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Sure - and I agree to an extent, but Rodgers isn't and can't play the long game. He'll be gone by January if he puts up the same first half of the season as he did last year.

Most definitely. I said in the prediction thread if Rodgers gets past 10 games he'll see the season out.

I would still trust Can protecting the back four over Lucas when we go to Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal, City, Everton and Spurs in the coming months.

 

[Ryan]

Gazzetta reporting he's in talks with AC Milan.

 

[Frogfish]

Chivarella will end up being promoted to 5th choice.

Can't we make him #4 ? Please ?

 

[Wiberg]

If we sell Lucas we have no true DM in the squad. It would be a disaster if we dont get a new proven DM right away. I don't believe for a second that Can is ready. I totally agree with Mølby in the Echo today.

 

[keniget]

Linked to Juve in the BBC gossip column. Khediera is out injured, isn't he?

Hopefully we'll get a good price.