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Lucas Leiva

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In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Pezzini and the second or paternal family name is Leiva.
Lucas Leiva
Lucas Leiva in 2015
Personal information
Full name Lucas Pezzini Leiva[1]
Date of birth (1987-01-09) 9 January 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Dourados, Brazil
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 21
Youth career
2004–2005 Grêmio
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Grêmio 38 (4)
2007– Liverpool 209 (1)
International career‡
2007 Brazil U20 9 (4)
2008 Brazil U23 7 (0)
2007–2013 Brazil 24 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Men's Football
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing Team competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 December 2015
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2013

Lucas Pezzini Leiva (born 9 January 1987), known as Lucas, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for English club Liverpool and the Brazil national team.

Lucas began his career as a box-to-box midfielder at Grêmio where he won the Campeonato Gaúcho in 2006 and 2007. In July 2007 he moved to Liverpool, where he developed into one of the league's premier defensive midfielders. Lucas has since made over 285 appearances for the club and won the League Cup in 2012. From 2010 to 2016 Lucas led the Premier League in tackles per game, five times in six seasons.[3]

A full international from 2007 to 2013, he earned 24 caps, and represented Brazil at the 2008 Olympics and 2011 Copa América, winning a bronze medal at the former. He also captained the under-20 team to victory in the 2007 South American Youth Championship

Club career

Grêmio

Born in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Lucas began his career at Grêmio as a box-to-box midfielder in 2005. The following year was a successful year for him, as Grêmio won the Rio Grande do Sul state championship (the Campeonato Gaúcho) for the first time since 2001, and also came third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Lucas also became the youngest player 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, Romário, Robinho, Kaká and Carlos Tevez.[4]

His form in 2006 led to reported interest from many major European clubs including offers from top Spanish clubs and Internazionale.[5] 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.[6] The transfer fee was in the region of £6 million.[7]

Liverpool

2007–08 season

On 26 July 2007, he was officially unveiled as a Liverpool player for a fee of £5 million and was given international clearance to compete in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy.[8]

By late November, manager Rafael Benítez gave Lucas his chance to start a game in the Liverpool midfield after easing him in during his first few months at the club. Lucas scored his first goal for Liverpool on 27 January 2008 when he curled a 25-yard shot into the top corner during an FA Cup match against Havant & Waterlooville, becoming the first-ever Brazilian to score for Liverpool.[9]

2008–09 season

Lucas playing for Liverpool in 2009

The start of the 2008–09 season signified an important turning point for his career. Many commentators expected him to step up to the next level after completing his first season with the Reds.[citation needed] The Brazilian got off to a good start with a well taken opening goal in a 2–1 friendly win over Swiss side Lucerne in July.[10] He impressed in pre-season games but missed the start of Premier League season due to his selection for the Brazilian Olympic Team in the Beijing Olympics.[11][12]

Lucas returned with a bronze medal and Benítez had high hopes for the Brazilian's future, stating, "This season he will improve because he is a very, very good professional and has experience of the Olympic Games."[13] Lucas noted that Liverpool's squad was much improved from the previous season and relished the opportunity to compete for trophies, despite the increased difficulty of getting a first-team place.[14] However, after a number of disappointing performances,[15][16] both critics and fans voiced concerns about Lucas' quality and his confidence was further knocked when Liverpool fans booed him after a lacklustre draw against Fulham. The criticism irked Benítez and he responded with a passionate defence of the player, saying that "people just don't know how good Lucas is." [17] Benítez also underlined Lucas' credentials, stating that he had been captain for both Grêmio and his national youth team, and that competing for place against Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso was inherently difficult. Lucas' performances in December 2008 for Liverpool drew him much praise from pundits, the highlight being his performance in the 5–1 thrashing of Newcastle United, where he provided an assist for Gerrard.[18][19] Lucas was sent off in a cup tie against Mersey rivals Everton, which Liverpool lost. This compounded his growing unpopularity amongst Liverpool's supporters, after he gave away a late penalty in Liverpool's previous match, a 1–1 draw with Wigan Athletic.[20][21]

On 14 March, Lucas played a key role [citation needed] in Liverpool's 4–1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, starting in place of the injured Xabi Alonso. On 14 April, Lucas played against Chelsea in the Champions League, in place of Steven Gerrard. He scored a goal with his long-range effort in the 81st minute deflected off Michael Essien and past goalkeeper Petr Čech to make the score 3–3. Dirk Kuyt's header a minute later briefly gave Liverpool the lead, but Frank Lampard's 89th-minute strike leveled the score to 4–4, with Chelsea winning 7–5 on aggregate to go through to the semi-finals of the tournament.[22]

On 3 May 2009, Lucas scored his first Premier League goal, a header from a free-kick for Liverpool against Newcastle United in a 3–0 win.[23]

2009–10 season

Lucas playing for Liverpool in 2012

During the 2009–10 pre-season period, Lucas showed good form scoring Liverpool's only goal in a 2–1 loss against Atlético Madrid. This form earned praise from manager Rafael Benítez, and gained him a start against Tottenham Hotspur for the opening game of the 2009–10 season on 16 August. Liverpool lost 1–2, but Lucas earned praise for a solid performance all round.[24]

On 8 April 2010, Lucas scored his second European goal for Liverpool, scoring in Liverpool's 4–1 (5–3 aggregate) quarter-final win over Benfica in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.[25]

2010–11 season

In pre-season games before the 2010–11 season, Lucas was made captain of a youthful Liverpool side against Grasshopper.[26]

On 16 September 2010, Lucas scored his sixth goal for Liverpool shortly after replacing Ryan Babel in Liverpool's first Europa League group stage match against Steaua Bucureşti. The goal was Liverpool's third in a 4–1 victory and was scored from 22 yards.[27] On 13 November, Lucas was sent off for the second time in his Liverpool career after being shown a second yellow card in injury time in Liverpool's 2–0 defeat to Stoke City.[28] On 6 December, Lucas was voted the fan's pick for man of the match on the official Liverpool website.[29] Lucas assisted a Ryan Babel goal in a 3–0 win over Aston Villa.[30]

Lucas was awarded Liverpool Player of the Year Award in May 2011.[31] On 30 March, Lucas signed a new long term contract at Liverpool.[32]

2011–2013

Martin Škrtel alongside Lucas for Liverpool in 2014

After an excellent run of form for Liverpool, his season was unfortunately cut short on 1 December, when it was confirmed he was out for the remainder of the season after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury after he collided with Juan Mata in the 2–0 win over Chelsea in the quarter-final of the League Cup.[33]

10 April 2013, Lucas signed a new long term deal with the club.[34]

Lucas was a consistent starter in the Liverpool 2013–14 side that put up an unexpected title challenge, though his season was again cut short by injury.[35] His good form saw him make a return to the Brazilian national team's squad.[36]

2014–15

In the initial run of games within the 2014–15 Premier League and other cup competitions, Lucas was rotated in and out from the squad, leading to speculation surrounding a move away from Anfield. He made his comeback, however, as a starter against Ludogorets in the Champions League with a good display.[37] His fine form continued and he started games against Stoke City, Leicester City and Sunderland.[38][39][40] Lucas' good run continued as Liverpool then played against Manchester United, Arsenal, Burnley, Swansea City, Leicester and Sunderland out of which Liverpool only lost to United and then achieved five games without defeat in a row with Lucas as an integral member.[41][42][43][44] Lucas was on the substitute bench on 22 March in a 2–1 defeat against Manchester United after coming back from a six-week injury layoff.[45]

2015–16

Despite rumours of him leaving Anfield, Lucas was restored to the starting lineup. Following the sacking of manager Brendan Rodgers, Lucas under new manager Jürgen Klopp was praised for his excellent form in the club's 11-game unbeaten run.[46] Lucas captained the side in the Premier League match against Crystal Palace on 8 November, a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool.[47]

International career

Lucas playing for Brazil in 2011

Lucas is the former captain of the Brazilian under-20 team. He led the team to victory in the 2007 South American Youth Championship, scoring four goals in the process. He was expected to lead the team again in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada in July 2007 and was named in their squad, but an injury in training kept him from playing for three weeks, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.[48]

In October 2006, Lucas was included in the senior Brazilian squad for friendlies against Kuwaiti club Al-Kuwait and Ecuador. Lucas was both the youngest member and one of only two non-Europe based players in a strong squad. He made his debut for Brazil on 7 October 2006 coming on as a second-half substitute against Al-Kuwait. Brazil won the match 4–0, but his appearance did not count as his first cap—the match was not considered an official friendly match by FIFA.[2]

Lucas gained his first official Brazil international cap on 22 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Algeria.[49] In June 2008, Lucas was named in the Brazil squad for an Olympics warm-up match later in the month.[50]

On 19 August, Lucas was shown a red card in the 2008 Olympics semi-final match between Brazil and Argentina, after a challenge on then Liverpool team-mate Javier Mascherano, as Argentina ran out 3–0 winners. In August 2009, Lucas was recalled to the senior Brazil squad in place of Flamengo's Kléberson, who was absent through injury. After missing out on the Brazil world cup squad in South Africa, Lucas played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against the United States on 10 August 2010.[51]

On 17 July 2011, Lucas was shown a straight red card in the 2011 Copa América play-off semi final against Paraguay, after an extra time altercation with Antolín Alcaraz. Brazil went on to lose the match on penalties after the match had finished all square after 90 minutes.[52]

Personal life

Lucas is the nephew of former Brazilian footballer Leivinha[53] and also holds an Italian passport due to his descent from the country.

In addition to his native Portuguese, Lucas can also speak English[54] and Spanish.[55]

Career statistics

Club

As of 11 December 2015[56][57]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Grêmio 2005 Série B 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
2006 Série A 32 4 4 1 16 0 — 52 5
2007 3 0 0 0 9 2 8 1 20 3
Total 38 4 4 1 25 2 8 1 75 8
Liverpool 2007–08 Premier League 18 0 4 1 3 0 7 0 32 1
2008–09 25 1 2 0 2 1 10 1 39 3
2009–10 35 0 2 0 0 0 13 1 50 1
2010–11 33 0 1 0 1 0 12 1 47 1
2011–12 12 0 0 0 3 0 — 15 0
2012–13 26 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 31 0
2013–14 27 0 1 0 1 0 — 29 0
2014–15 20 0 3 0 5 0 4 0 32 0
2015–16 12 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 17 0
Total 208 1 14 1 17 1 53 3 292 6
Career totals 246 5 18 2 42 3 61 4 367 14

International

As of November 2013.[36]
Brazil national team
Year Apps Goals
2007 1 0
2008 2 0
2009 1 0
2010 4 0
2011 12 0
2012 0 0
2013 4 0
Total 24 0

Honours

Club

Grêmio[56]
Liverpool[56]

International

Brazil

Individual

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ a b "Liverpool FC Profile". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Premier League Player Statistics". Who Scored. whoscored.com. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  4. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007: Lucas ready to lead Brazilian charge". Article by fifa.com. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Lucas Leiva: I turned down Inter Milan to sign for Liverpool". Liverpool Daily Post. 12 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  6. ^ "LEIVA: IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY NO TO LFC". Article by Mark Platt, liverpoolfc.tv. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  7. ^ Eaton, Paul (11 May 2007). "Reds to sign Brazilian midfielder". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  8. ^ "RAFA HAILS NEW LEIVA-POOL SIGNING". Article on Liverpoolfc.tv. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  9. ^ Barrett, Tony (28 January 2008). "Lucas: Rafa Benitez blast fired us on". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  10. ^ "Classy Voronin inspires 2–1 win". Liverpool F.C. 16 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  11. ^ "Voronin on target in Krakow draw". 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  12. ^ "Ronaldinho gets Olympics go-ahead". BBC Sport Unfortunately. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  13. ^ Doyle, Ian (30 August 2008). "Welcome return for Javier Mascherano at Liverpool". Liverpool Daily Post. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  14. ^ "Lucas Leiva reveals Liverpool's success secret". Liverpool Daily Post. 9 October 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  15. ^ Adams, Tom (26 November 2008). "Liverpool v Marseille stats&ratings". Setanta Sports. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 8 January 2009 suggested (help)
  16. ^ Nixon, Alan (23 November 2008). "Rafa tinkering hits Kop bid". The Sunday People. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  17. ^ "Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva receives backing from manager Rafael Benítez". The Telegraph. London. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  18. ^ "Benitez backs Lucas to come good". BBC Sport. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  19. ^ Doyle, Ian (9 December 2008). "PSV v Liverpool preview: Game could shape Lucas's future". Liverpool Daily Post. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  20. ^ Kay, Oliver (4 February 2009). Dan Gosling strikes at the last to put Rafael Benítez’s men out of their misery. The Times. Retrieved on 2009-02-05.
  21. ^ "Mido penalty halts Reds". Sky Sports. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  22. ^ http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/7812497/chelsea-4-liverpool-4-agg-7-5
  23. ^ "Liverpool 3–0 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  24. ^ "Benitez anger at Lucas criticism". ESPN. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  25. ^ Bevan, Chris (8 April 2010). "Liverpool 4 – 1 Benfica". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  26. ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/captain-lucas-reveals-pride
  27. ^ "Liverpool 4-1 Steaua Bucharest". BBC News. 16 September 2010.
  28. ^ Hughes, Ian (13 November 2010). "Stoke 2-0 Liverpool". BBC News.
  29. ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/latest-motm-table-revealed-6
  30. ^ "Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa". BBC News. 6 December 2010.
  31. ^ a b Carroll, James (24 May 2011). "Lucas scoops 2010-11 award". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  32. ^ "Lucas Leiva signs long-term Liverpool contract". BBC Sport. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  33. ^ "Lucas injury update". liverpoolfc.tv. 1 December 2011.
  34. ^ "Lucas signs new Reds deal". 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Games played by Lucas Leiva in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  36. ^ a b Lucas Leiva at National-Football-Teams.com
  37. ^ Rötters, Matthias (26 November 2014). "Liverpool hit by late Ludogorets leveller". UEFA. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  38. ^ "Liverpool 1-0 Stoke". BBC Sport. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  39. ^ Johnston, Neil (2 December 2014). "Leicester 1–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  40. ^ [1]
  41. ^ McNulty, Phil (21 December 2014). "Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  42. ^ Bascombe, Chris (29 December 2014). "Liverpool 4 Swansea City 1: Adam Lallana shows his class as Liverpool cruise to victory". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  43. ^ McNulty, Phil (6 January 2015). "Steven Gerrard shows Liverpool what they will miss". BBC.
  44. ^ "Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  45. ^ McNulty, Phil (22 March 2015). "Liverpool 1–2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  46. ^ Ullal, Naveen (4 November 2015). "Mamadou Sakho and Lucas have rediscovered their form under Jurgen Klopp says John Aldridge". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  47. ^ "Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Crystal Palace: No Milner, Benteke starts - This Is Anfield". This Is Anfield. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  48. ^ "New Signing Injured". by Paul Grech. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
  49. ^ "Maicon and Ronaldinho See Off Algeria". Report on Goal.com. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
  50. ^ "Lucas named in Brazil Squad". Liverpoolfc.tv article. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  51. ^ Terence Steed. "USA 0-2 Brazil: Young Samba Stars Regain Brazil's Spark". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  52. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (17 July 2011). "Brazil v Paraguay - as it happened". Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  53. ^ Díaz, F.J. "16 June 2006". AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  54. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcNmudYbuZM
  55. ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/182727-brendan-has-given-reds-starlets-hope
  56. ^ a b c Lucas Leiva at Soccerway
  57. ^ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=47374
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