Lucas Leiva: It’s less stressful playing for Brazil than Liverpool FC

Nov 13 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

LUCAS LEIVA admits the pressure of playing for Liverpool at present is worse than that turning out for Brazil.

Lucas, who is in Qatar preparing for his country’s showpiece friendly against England tomorrow, has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive performers during a troubled start to the campaign.

Monday’s 2-2 home draw with Birmingham City means Rafael Benitez’s side have won just one of their last nine games, a spell during which they have been knocked out of the Carling Cup and stand on the brink of Champions League elimination.

And with the beleaguered Benitez having to deal with his team’s poor form and an ever-growing injury list, that tension is being felt on the pitch by the available players.

“Right now the pressure of playing for Liverpool is worse than for Brazil,” said Lucas. “In Brazil we have already qualified and we will of course have pressure in playing a big team like England, but at Liverpool now it is worse.

“We are in a difficult situation right now. We have to fight to qualify for the Champions League and the Premier League too. First of all we have to get into the top four.”

Lucas added: “At Liverpool we are playing well, maybe we need something more but anyway I hope we will turn the bad situation around.

“Against Lyon, United and even the last game against Birmingham we played well but we conceded some goals. They came from our mistakes.

“We have to keep going and keep working and hopefully the international break has come at a good time for us. Some players are injured so hopefully they will be okay and be fit for the next game.”

However, most of the injury news eminating from Melwood yesterday was negative, with Benitez confirming both Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun could be sidelined for up to a month.

And there was been a further blow after it emerged Fabio Aurelio has been cut from the Brazil squad because of his calf injury.

Riera and Benayoun suffered torn hamstrings on Monday, with Benitez fearing Riera may face a longer spell out after aggravating a previous injury.

And Benitez admits to keeping his fingers crossed over the fitness of Glen Johnson who, after missing three games with groin and calf problems, then suffered a hamstring injury while training with England earlier this week.