Lucas Leiva (Liverpool > S.S. Lazio)

Depends on the style of play, but the way BR has us setup I don't think he fits into either the CDM (quarterback) role, or the CM (ball retention specialist / creative box-to-box type) role.  On the other hand, Rafa likes to set his teams up to have 2 deep lying CM's (a destroyer next to a deep lying playmaker).  Lucas would probably be a perfect fit for this setup in the destroyer role. 

Neither do I mate. 

I still see us developing with a high defensive line with Ilori and Sakho as CB's and possibly Suso as our sitting midfielder.  2 very attacking FB's providing the width and a potent attacking force up top.

Boring, defensive football is not in Brendans psyche 

Personally i would love to keep Lucas for the games when Gerrard needs a rest or is unavailable just so he can play the one role he is made to currently play. As the DM.
To lose his passion, knowledge and tactical awareness for that specific role would be sad.
Been a huge fan of his for many years.
Hard to work out if the injury issues or the new Liverpool way of playing has led to him looking misplaced in our system.

I have always liked Lucas and supported him against people who were constantly slating him. But we seriously do need a better DM. He is just not getting back to his best it seems.

I have always liked Lucas and supported him against people who were constantly slating him. But we seriously do need a better DM. He is just not getting back to his best it seems.

He wasn't playing DM tonight or the last few games.

Ineffective in his current role but we hardly had much option.

In fairness Alberto must be terrible if he can't get in in front of Lucas in his current role. The Brazilian was absolutely awful again tonight and we must find a much better option should we need a replacement again.

His lack of physical abillity post his injuries has limited the lad to only been able to play one role and that is DM. Stevie is allready at another level in that role so I can see Lucas only used as cover or shipped out.

Puzzled as to why he started in the first place in a game we needed to win by a fine margin would have thought Coutinho would have started alongside Allen. 

All in all very poor performance from the lad caught out of position for the first and third goals.

In fairness Alberto must be terrible if he can't get in in front of Lucas in his current role. The Brazilian was absolutely awful again tonight and we must find a much better option should we need a replacement again.

Up until 77 minutes, each and every one of our players were fantastic. After that, most of them were God Damn awful. I wouldn't single out Lucas, at all.

As for Alberto well, yes, he must be lacking something. Always thought he was a pointless purchase along with Aspas. Neither have offered us any depth.

Brendan will learn.

Don't know if it's match fitness, injury recovery or what but he isn't the same. Lost pace and sharpness.

I wouldn't sell him. He has an injury-free period now to work hard and come back with a good pre season. He won't stop working for the team and deserves a chance to get back to his best.

Don't know if it's match fitness, injury recovery or what but he isn't the same. Lost pace and sharpness.

HEY.  Stop being negative.

Or are you just pointing out the truth?

I've defended Lucas as much as anyone but I can't defend the last two performances. First time out on the right of the diamond he looked like he might be able to adapt, made runs into the box some cracking incisive passing but these last 2 games when we've really needed something extra he's just not been the right fit at all.

I think hanging the lad on it is harsh because he's not made for this role at all and it's a sad indictment of our squad that has him starting there.

Could quite easily be his last game in a Liverpool shirt tonight and it was probably one of his worst ever and that's a shame for the lad and not how I would remember him if it is.

The only reason he stays in our squad next season is some sort of back up for Gerrard.

Possibly one of the most frustrating performances I've ever watched of a Liverpool player. The ease at which Palace players sauntered past him on numerous occasions last night was an embarrassment. Not up to the same tempo as the rest of the lads & subsequently he's a liability.

Think he's gone in the Summer.

I dont buy into all these players who will "be gone in the summer"

We have had a very good season, if albeit a disappointing end but what we lack is depth in options and quality.. We probably need by all thoughts 4-6 new faces of definite quality, I'd personally edge to the lower number as it's difficult to bed in a lot of players in a short period of time, so to add to that bombing out another 4 or so that would then need replacing will be a near on impossible summer.

These core players ( around 14 of them) have got us to the top of the table with a couple of games left, I'd be more of a mind to look at that as a positive and build around them with 4 top class players, not tear up the blueprint again and try to bed in as many as 10

As we know Lucas has suffered a run of bad injuries, but is loyal as the day is long and deserves to still be part of the "squad" going forward.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, we are still top and these players have got us there, with a few additional options they can keep us there.

How many Fletcher's etc have utd had over the years?

How many Parlours have Arsenal had?

Lucas can still be part of the squad next season and we will have a lot more games to play

We need to look at our approach to situations rather than pick individuals apart who can look exposed

Got to feel sorry for Lucas he has been a loyal servant. Watching him trying to run in treacle last night if he was a racehorse he would have been taken to the yard this morning.
Ultimately as others have said it highlighted our lack of depth by asking him to play in roles which are completely not his forte.

I don't think a role that requires Lucas to be tracking 60 yards at a time is probably best for him......hopefully with more depth BR will be able to find a role that suits his strengths and hides his weaknesses.

In all honesty the only time when Lucas has been consistently outstanding was under Kenny. Under Rafa he looked too limited with no creativity, under Brendan he has looked pedestrian and immobile. I think he can still do a job off the bench, but imo we may be better suited by buying someone a little more versatile with a few more strings to their bow.

Certainly next season if he stays I would not expect to see him in any other position than defensive midfield when Gerrard needs a rest.   

he was useless lastnite, no pace, he ever seem go forward and when lastime he score goal, get rid

he ever seem go forward

Nearly scored a late winner last night but for a last ditch block by a Palace defender.

I have always been a fan of Lucas what bothers me from the other night is he didn't seem to be able to change pace at all I would like to see how much ground he covered.
I know the lad has had his fair share of injuries bur surely he can move a bit quicker.

I'd definitely keep him for the squad next season.

The unfortunate truth is that Lucas has been a bit of a liability for quite some time now, he hasn't suddenly deteriorated in the last couple of matches. When we debated him earlier in the season the vehement defence of his abilities at the time from some was significantly OTT, and recent matches have proven categorically that we are discussing a player here who is chronically short of mobility. Admittedly his excellent reading of the game and the proximity he keeps to our centre backs when playing as a holding midfielder help to mask his deficiencies, but nobody can tell me that a footballer can operate at the top level in World football while being as unathletic as Lucas is. It simply isn't possible in my opinion, and his lack of legs is absolutely what causes him to give so many free kicks away when he is sitting in.

Debating whether or not we should keep him for next season is probably something of a moot point as I doubt we'd be knocked over in the rush of potential suitors for his signature. He'll be on a decent enough wage to scare off the likes of West Brom or the Championship promotees (for whom he'd do a good job) so he will be with us next season.

To my mind though not only is the debate over whether he or Gerrard is the better bet as holder completely dead in the water, the debate over whether he ought to be first stand in is up for question too. He is actually even slower than naysayers such as me thought he was, and that's saying something. Somebody mentioned him "running in treacle" earlier, and they are absolutely spot on. For me he stays, but we desperately need a holding midfield stand in for Gerrard as well as obviously enough depth further forward to ensure we never have to use Lucas again in any other position than the one usually plays in.

I'd definitely keep him for the squad next season.

I have the same feeling as well though I do agree with many people analysis that he looks well off the pace this season, he runs like a 35 year old with two knee replacements. If we had some up and coming CM/CDM (I know some people say Conor Cody but I never seen em playing in couple years) maybe the situation be different but numbers wise I say BR will keep Lucas around and in the time I hope he can regain some type of form

Gerrard is not playing the same role as Lucas played Lucas was a destroyer a spoiler a shield for the two CB'c and he played that role very well indeed.But that has gone now and he has played in several different roles. Its a bit off the wall but I wouldn't mind seeing how he did alongside Sakho or Martin similar to Masch at Barca I think the need for two big CB's is not essential anymore.If we cant find his "best" position we may as well let him go.