Rafa Benitez Prepared To Put Faith In Lucas Leiva At Liverpool
The manager thinks it's time the Brazilian stepped up his game.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is backing oft-derided midfielder Lucas Leiva to make a dramatic improvement this season, and help plug the gap left by the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old scored in the weekend's 2-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid, and Benitez has been impressed with the midfielder's performances in the Reds' pre-season program.
Alberto Aquilani has signed for the Anfield outfit from Roma in recent days but, as he will be sidelined for another month or two as he recovers from an ankle injury, Benitez knows that players already at the club must fill the gap left by Alonso when the season begins in earnest at the weekend.
"Lucas has been the best player in pre-season. He showed why again against Atletico. He is really focused, working hard and is showing quality," Benitez told The Independent.
"He knows Aquilani will need time. When we decided to bring in Aquilani we knew he would be out for one month or so, so we analyzed the squad and we think that with Javier Mascherano, Lucas, Steven Gerrard and Damien Plessis we have enough (strength in depth)."
The player himself remains keen to impress after a difficult season last year in which he found himself the target of substantial criticism from the Anfield faithful and beyond, adding, "I want to play every week but I know Liverpool have a strong squad. I just have to wait and respect whatever decisions Rafa makes."
