Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish mentioned a surprising name when asked about the best players he ever managed at the club.
Dalglish was speaking on the Kenn 7 Official Podcast on YouTube. The show gives fans the opportunity to put their questions forward to be answered by “The King”.
When one fan wanted to know who he held up as the best he’d managed, Kenny was initially coy. But urged on by son Paul Dalglish, the Scot mentioned a few icons of the game that he’s worked with.
“Obviously you see them, you see what they can do on the pitch. Steven (Gerrard), Luis (Suarez), Alan Shearer, you mention the names and that’s the names that come to your mind because they were brilliant,” said Dalglish senior.
So far, so predictable. Dalglish managed some exceptional players whilst manager of Liverpool from 1985-1991. But he also oversaw some stellar names in a less than stellar team for The Reds 2011-2012.
It was a surprise, then, to hear him mention a less heralded player from that early 2010’s vintage.
“But you look at Lucas Leiva. Lucas by the way, Lucas was brilliant, brilliant,” said The King.
“You look at what goes on in the dressing room and you need a really good dressing room to be led by really strong people in there and they’re not always the best players.”
We didn’t expect that!
Forever underrated
Perhaps it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Few players in the modern era can match Lucas’ longevity at Liverpool.
The Brazilian midfielder played a full decade for The Reds before departing for Lazio in 2017.
Although he was often outside of the starting eleven in that time, he was a standout performer while Dalglish was at the club.
He was named Liverpool Player of the Year in 2010/2011 and continued that form into the following season before an ACL injury struck him down.
Lucas was never fully the same after that. However, he was always seen as being a leader behind the scenes. He played a big part in making Phillippe Coutinho and then Roberto Firmino feel settled at the club.
It’s this attribute that seems to have stayed with Dalglish. Jurgen Klopp was also clearly a fan of the man behind the player.
“Things change but Lucas is a special case,” said Klopp as per the Liverpool Echo upon Lucas’ exit in 2017. “He asked for (to leave). I would say he’s a friend. He’s a fantastic person.”
Lucas is still a key man for Lazio at the age of 35. Given that James Milner looks likely to depart this summer (Goal), a void will need filling as Liverpool’s elder statesman. Lucas certainly comes with some glowing recommendations if he fancies the job!
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