Liverpool’s longest serving player has revealed that he stayed on Merseyside this summer because the club wanted him to stay.
Lucas Leiva has entered his 10th season as a Liverpool player and this summer he was closer than ever to leaving Merseyside. Galatasaray, among several other clubs, were chasing the Brazilian and he was close to sealing a deal but it was called off.
The former Gremio man told ESPN Brazil, via the Liverpool Echo, exactly why he still wears red.
“There really were a few exit opportunities,” Lucas said, ” They ended up not happening, Liverpool didn’t feel comfortable to seal a deal.
“For the time I’ve been here, I respected the club and stayed for another year, for this season, starting my 10th season for the club, which is a very cool mark.”
Lucas impressed as an improv centre-half last season and has admitted that playing under Jurgen Klopp is like nothing he’s experienced before.
“A season with Klopp is much different than any other season I had with other managers,” he said.
“My relationship with him is very good, I have full confidence from him.
“Last year there were eight or nine months to know a little more about the way he wants the team to work.
“And this year, with a full pre-season with him and new signings, we started the Premier League very well.
“So we expect to be able to have a different year than last year in relation to titles, last year we got to two finals and we lost the two, and this year we expect it to be different.”
Lucas is currently working to find a way into Klopp’s team and is finding it difficult to find a spot in either midfield or defence. With no European football this season and no need for heavy squad rotation, Lucas has become a squad player and will know that his chance will only come in the event of injury or suspension.
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