Lucas keen to revel in attacking position

Jul 18 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

LUCAS LEIVA has vowed to revel in the new-found freedom afforded to him by Rafael Benitez.

The Brazilian midfielder was on target in Switzerland on Wednesday night as Liverpool defeated FC Lucerne 2-1 in their latest pre-season friendly.

Having arrived from Gremio last summer, Lucas scored just one goal in 32 appearances during his debut campaign, a spectacular effort against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

The 21-year-old was largely employed in a defensive midfield role, impressing in particular during the two Champions League games against Inter Milan.

Now Lucas has revealed Benitez has handed him a more attack-minded role and is eager to repay his manager’s confidence with more goals.

“It’s always nice to score a goal, and it was a good goal and a good win for the team, so I’m happy about that,” he said.

“We know we have to work hard in pre-season because we have a long season ahead and we are trying to put the things we are doing in training into practice in the matches.

“The manager has given me more freedom to go forward and that suits because that is my style.

“I think my form and fitness are improving every day even though it has been tiring because pre-season has been hard but I am happy with my goal.

“I am confident that I can score more goals. Last season I got only one but in Brazil I scored quite a few so I have the belief that I can score more for Liverpool.”

Lucas’s goal on Wednesday was created by a fine pass from 17-year-old striker Dani Pacheco, and the Brazilian believes the teenager can become a huge success at Liverpool.

“It was a great pass from Pacheco for my goal,” he said. “He is a very intelligent player and he is getting better and better all the time.

“He is only 17 but I think he has a good future because he is already showing his qualities for Liverpool.”

With Liverpool’s senior players returning to training at varying intervals, Pacheco is one of several youngsters to have been handed a chance by Benitez during the opening friendlies.

Sebastian Leto, Jay Spearing, Emiliano Insua, Stephen Darby and Damien Plessis were among those from the reserve ranks who featured on Wednesday.

And Dirk Kuyt, who played the closing moments despite only arriving in Switzerland earlier in the day, acknowledges the importance of the trip for these players.

“The tour is important for everyone to get to know each other but this is also a big chance for the young lads,” said the Dutchman.

“They did very well against Lucerne and with a bit more luck we could have had four or five goals.”

Kuyt added: “Wednesday was my first day back but the lads have told me they’ve been working very hard this week.

“The most important thing at this stage is not the result, it’s working hard and making sure we are fit for the season.

“The Swiss league starts next week and Lucerne showed they were ready, so it was a good test.”

Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations tomorrow evening when they take on Polish champions Wisla Krakow in Fribourg.