Lucas relishing Liverpool centre-back role

For the first eight years of his Liverpool career, Lucas Leiva was known as a holding midfielder but now he believes centre-back is where he’s best deployed.

After joining the Reds back in 2007, Lucas became a staple of the side in defensive midfield but was moved to the heart of the defence by current manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Brazilian international’s added versatility is a definite bonus for the Merseysiders and although it took some adapting to, he is enjoying the switch.

“To be honest, playing there is something I had never thought about before the manager suggested it,” explained Lucas.

“The manager has put a lot of trust in me. He thinks I have the qualities to play there. Every game I feel more comfortable and I feel more natural there.

“I’d say it’s probably my best position to play for Liverpool. Over my last 20 to 25 games for the club, I’ve played maybe 18 or 19 matches as a centre-back.

“I feel very comfortable in that role now. And when he needs someone to play in midfield he knows he can count on me there too.

“It hasn’t been so different. Of course with the way Jürgen likes to play, the holding midfield player has to do a lot more I’d say in terms of what I used to do before in that holding role.

“Playing as a centre-back is something similar. You don’t run as much as when you are in midfield but you need to be very focused. You need to be able to read the game.”