Lucas is not for sale says Rafa Benitez

Feb 29 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that Lucas is attracting the attention of a host of European clubs – but he has no intention of selling the Brazilian starlet as he has the mentality to become the new Steven Gerrard.

Despite the 21-year-old only arriving from Gremio in the summer, several sides on the continent have already been courting him.

But Benitez insists that Lucas is going nowhere and the midfielder, who has started in Liverpool’s last five matches, has a big part to play in the club’s future.

He said: “We’ve had offers for Lucas but we said ‘no’ because we want to keep him.

“Clubs have asked about him. Clubs in Italy and Spain – maybe 10 in La Liga. Good clubs in Spain and clubs in Italy who will pay more money.”

Benitez believes that one of the player’s major assets is a mental strength rarely seen in such players.

He said: “Lucas was the captain of Gremio and Brazil’s under-21 team. He has two caps with the senior national team.

“He’s a player with a very good mentality and quality. He’s very professional, focused, and a fantastic player.

“I don’t have any problem with him. If you need to take a penalty, Gerrard will be there and Lucas can be there – he has a very good mentality.”

Benitez added: “He likes football. His uncle (Leivinha) was a former player at Atletico Madrid. He’s very focused and is a good professional.

“When he first arrived here and needed to improve his English he was not playing.

“I talked to him and he said ‘Hey I’m okay, I’m improving’. He is learning and when I bought him I thought he’d be able to play in the big games like Inter in his first season.”

Benitez has also insisted that Gerrard is not alone in feeling frustration at Liverpool’s failure to mount a serious title challenge.

The Spaniard admits this season has not gone according to plan in terms of their hopes in the Premier League but feels it is important for his squad to focus on what can still be achieved as they fight for success in both the Champions League and the race for fourth place.

Instead of the battle with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League expected from Liverpool after a summer spending spree of almost £50million, Benitez’s side are instead having to fight off the challenge of the likes of neighbours Everton, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Manchester City to secure the final Champions League qualification spot.

Gerrard admitted that he was fed up of talking about ‘next season’ with Liverpool and that it is time the team realised their potential.

Benitez said: “Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven’s sentiments, there is no question about that.

“We wanted to be further up the table and the fact that we are not is a disappointment to everyone. But the important thing now is to concentrate on what we can still do.

“We are still in the Champions League and our record in that competition is one that most other clubs would envy. And we are still confident of finishing in the top four.”