THE return of Lucas Leiva will, as the cliché goes, be like signing a new player for Liverpool.
Lucas changed public opinion with his performances after a difficult opening two years in which he was very much in the shadow of fellow midfielder, Argentina star Javier Mascherano.
Lucas did not look like he could cope with playing for Liverpool, dealing with the expectations or even having the required ability.
The stock of the Brazilian rose tremendously in his absence, something new manager Brendan Rodgers picked up on this week – Liverpool’s Premier League form dipped last season after Lucas was injured in the Carling Cup win over Chelsea in November.
It will take Lucas time to get back to his previous best.
But if any player has proven he can overcome the odds, it is the midfielder.
