Originally Posted by TheSloth:
“So, when Henderson returns, who would you drop then? I'd say we need Henderson's passing and set pieces, Van's energy and drive and Milner's all-round quality. For all his qualities, Lucas never looks a goal threat, lacks creativity and tends to give away too many freekicks. Great squad/bench option, but I can see him missing out. Just my opinion, of course - if he carrots on playing well, though, he may give Klopp a decision to make. I guess Can is the one who nerds to start producing more in terms of end product. We can't continue to flood our midfield with hard-working players who don't contribute regularly in teens of goals and creativity - Coutinho has proved he cannot carry that burden on his own.”
There is plenty above I personally would take issue with. Milners all round quality for one, only seen glimpses of that since he joined, as I said in my post Lucas has been better since Klopps arrival. Lucas is not on the pitch to be a goal threat, that is such a short sighted comment. His stats show he tackles lots, often clean but yes because of the amount of tackles makes a fair few fouls, although I'd point out it was Milners needless foul after the ball had went that led to Southamptons equaliser! 2 of Lucas's yellows of late were both perfectly timed tackles as replays showed, the ref got them wrong!
Since Klopps arrival I can only think of about 2 stray passes Lucas has done the rest all accurate. Wasn't that far off a goal in last seconds v RK also. He is doing his job perfectly at the minute. Players who do so should not be sacrificed because they do not score goals. We have plenty on the pitch whose job it is to do that. I could name a few players who have under performed of late, Lucas definitely not on that list.
Lucas appears to have been fighting for his place since joining the club, happily he has clearly showed enough to Rafa, Roy,Kenny,Brendan & now Klopp to have played as many games for us as he has.
Pre awful injury in the game v Chelsea he was our player of the season and had continued that form prior to his injury. Last season when Brendan needed him he came in and more than did his job. For me Lucas should not be left out because we need goals, if we can't get them we need to be taking a closer look at Coutinho, Lallana, Firmino, Benteke, Sturridge, Origi etc not our DM.