Brendan Rodgers issues latest update on Lucas transfer situation
Date: 25th August 2015 at 8:29am
Lucas Leiva started for Liverpool on Monday night against Arsenal and did a very decent job in sitting in front of the back four and shutting Arsenal out. It has been suggested that Lucas was on his way out of Liverpool with a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas on the cards but given the injury to Jordan Henderson and the fact Liverpool have not yet signed another defensive midfielder, it looks like the Brazilian is set to stay.
Following the 0-0 game against Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers was asked if Lucas will be a Liverpool player after the transfer window closes on Tuesday, Rodgers replied, "Yes.
"Lucas is our best defensive midfield player we have. There are games in which I will pay three midfield players and not always want a specific defensive one.
"But when we do need that, he's the best that we have.
"He came in at Arsenal and did a great job, and is very much part of what we want to do.
"Of course, every player wants to play every minute of every game and you can never guarantee that as a manager.
"But he is certainly very important to what we want to do, and is highly respected by myself, the coaching staff and the players."
It makes no sense in letting Lucas leave if there is no replacement lined up. Real Madrid's Asier Illarramendi has been linked with a move to Liverpool but there does not seem to be much movement on that front. And with time running out in the transfer window, coupled with Lucas' decent performance at Arsenal, hopefully he stays for the seasons and helps the side keep more clean sheets when he is called upon to do so.