Liverpool FC midfielder Lucas says he wants to make Steven Gerrard's text message come true
Reds midfielder desperate for Wembley final after missing out in 2012
James Pearce
Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard
Sign up to FREE daily email alerts from Liverpool Echo - Liverpool FC
It was a text message from the Liverpool FC captain designed to lift Lucas Leiva's spirits.
At Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night the Brazilian midfielder is desperate to ensure Steven Gerrard's prediction becomes a reality.
Lucas was sat on the Reds' team coach heading to Wembley for the Carling Cup final against Cardiff City on February 26 2012 when his phone buzzed. A serious knee injury meant he was there solely to offer support for Kenny Dalglish's side and missing out on such a showpiece occasion was a bitter pill for him to swallow.
"It was hard for me," Lucas said.
"I remember when we were on our way to the stadium I was a little bit down because I wanted to be on the pitch. I remember Stevie sending me a text which said: 'Don't worry, we will get here again.'
"It is something that I always remember and hopefully we will make that come true. That would be special.
"I have never played at Wembley and it is something that I would like to do and in a final would be brilliant."
Lucas belatedly received a winners' medal following that dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Cardiff. Despite not appearing in the final, it's something he cherishes.
It remains the only piece of silverware Liverpool have won since his arrival from Gremio for £5million in 2007 but he's keen to put that right.
"I have the medal in my house and I always look at it," he said.
"I might not have played the final but my first medal for the club is important. Other players may have won more but that first one was very important to me.
"Of course people remember who played in the final but I played until the quarter-finals so I was involved. I felt I deserved it.
"I didn't get a medal in the ceremony after the game, but the club arranged for me to get one. I think Kenny organised it.
"I've only had the chance to win one trophy since I arrived. We were runner-up twice in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final as well.
"It's always important to win trophies because that's what people remember at a big club. There is still a lot of work to be done but hopefully the club will be in the final and we'll be able to win it."
The semi-final second leg clash at Stamford Bridge sees Lucas return to the scene of his darkest hour. The holding midfielder was enjoying the best form of his career when the clubs met in the quarter-finals of the competition in November 2011.
The Reds won 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly but Lucas' season was ended when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It was a crushing blow having worked so hard to establish himself at Anfield and he was out for nine months.
Only now does he believe he's finally getting back to where he was at prior to that devastating setback.
"It was a hard moment for me. It has been three years already and since that injury I had a few problems afterwards," he said.
"It is just about sharpness really. The way I play it was probably something on my mind. When you get an injury you don't go as hard as you can.
"To be honest I am probably feeling the best now since I came back from my injury in terms of the way I want to play. I feel like my body is a lot better.
"I am just enjoying it and hopefully it can be another good win at Chelsea like when I got the injury but without the injury this time."
Triumphing in the face of adversity has been a common theme throughout Lucas' eight years at Anfield.
He endured a torrid start with the Reds as he adapted to the demands of Premier League football. In the shadow of Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, he fought hard to silence his critics.
In the second half of last season he found himself out of favour under Brendan Rodgers and it was a similar story in the opening months of this term.
Everton vs Liverpool at Goodison Park. Goal one from Liverpool's Philippe Countinho as Steven Gerrard and Lucas celebrate. Photo by Colin Lane
Lucas appeared to be heading for the Anfield exit door but since being handed a recall in November he has been vital to the Reds' resurgence. Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 15 games he has played. His manager has described his recent contribution as "outstanding".
"Statistics are always good when they work for you and not against you," Lucas said.
"When you play and the team doesn't lose it means you are helping. We started bad this season and we had a few defeats in a row. That made the manager decide to make some changes and probably the performance I had against Real Madrid was something good for me. We lost but I played well.
"I spoke with the manager after that game and he said he was very happy with how I played. When we got the defeat against Palace, it was on his mind that I deserved a chance. Then Joe (Allen) got injured which opened another chance for me to keep playing and I tried to take it.
"At the moment I feel I can offer a lot to the team, it makes me feel that I'm an important player for the group."
A rollercoaster Liverpool career is back on an upwards trajectory. He has won over the doubters once again.
"People can write whatever they want," he said. "I know my career has been like that here.
"At the moment I am just enjoying it because I really worked hard to get the chance again to play as I wasn't involved much at the beginning of the season and probably didn't think I was going to be this season. There were many games I couldn't even make the bench. I just had to keep going, keep patient.
"I go into every game with the same mindset that I have nothing to lose really and that is probably something that helped me. After so many years here I am not trying to convince anyone anymore."
Chelsea may have home advantage but Lucas believes if Liverpool perform like they did in last week's 1-1 draw in the first leg at Anfield then they can book their Wembley trip.
The Reds have taken encouragement from the sight of Jose Mourinho's side being beaten at home by League One outfit Bradford City last weekend.
"There is a pressure on them because they have just gone out of the FA Cup," he added.
"They conceded four goals at home for the first time in I don't know how many years and they will be looking to get to the final to help their fans forget what happened.
"Even before last weekend we believed we could go to Stamford Bridge and get to the final.
"There is no doubt it is going to be a difficult game. They will probably be favourites at home and, although they've now had a defeat there, their record at Stamford Bridge is unbelievable. I think we just have to play the same way as we did at home. We showed last week we can get something against them. We have nothing to lose.
"The manager spoke to us before the first game and said it is always the first trophy that helps you start something. He is looking for that first medal and first trophy to put a mark on the group.
"Of course we were fantastic in the Premier League last season but at the end we didn't win. This group I think deserves something good and a medal to show how hard it works, and for the fans as well as they've been incredible for the team."
Kenny Dalglish
Lucas Leiva
Martin Kelly
Barclay's Premier League