Liverpool midfielder Lucas has received a call up for Brazilian National squad after missing out on the World Cup squad. Rafael and Lucas were the only Premier League players named for the 10 August friendly against the United States. He found out the news from a pal in the Liverpool Hospitality lounge.
Just four players in Menezes's squad - Dani Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho - played for Brazil at the World Cup in South Africa.
Roy Hodgson has said that Lucas Leiva has a future at Liverpool amid interest from other clubs. The Brazilian has already reportedly been the subject of a £3 million bid from Serie A side Palermo, who have indicated a willingness to go higher with the fee if necessary.
But Hodgson apparently believes that Lucas Leiva's improved form last season has earned him the right to be in the squad for the campaign ahead.
Lucas Leiva says Fernando Torres deserves recognition for his campaign with Liverpool, despite his injury woes.
El Nino plundered an astonishing 22 goals in just 32 appearances for the Reds during the course of an injury-hit term - and Lucas believes such form made him our outstanding performer of the campaign.
"I would say Torres," the Brazilian said, when asked by LFC Weekly to name his Liverpool Player of the Season.
"Of course he has suffered a lot with injuries but when he has played, he has been fantastic and scored a lot of goals. A lot of great goals too.
Lucas Leiva does not want to use Liverpool's energy-sapping journey to Madrid as an excuse in the Europa League semi-finals.
The Reds have been forced to undertake a daunting 24-hour trip by train, coach and plane ahead of Thursday's first leg against Atletico Madrid. But Brazilian midfielder Lucas insists Liverpool cannot blame the travel chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has engulfed Europe if they are not at their best.
Rafa Benitez is under immense pressure on Merseyside as the boss who once secured European glory and last year came agonizingly close to dethroning United appears to be losing his grip. Results have however, improved recently and despite a 1-1 draw with Championship side Reading in the F.A Cup, Liverpool’s form has picked up with the Merseyside club recently securing back-to-back Premier League wins, keeping two clean sheets in the process.
Liverpool could — and arguably should — have had two penalties. The second came during the move that led to Kuyt’s late opportunity when Lucas Leiva appeared to be hauled down by Huth. If that situation was comparatively debatable, then the earlier shout was not, because Lucas was felled in the box by Danny Higginbotham only to receive nothing but a yellow card for his troubles.
It may be unfair, and inaccurate, to attribute Liverpool's upturn in fortunes to Mascherano's absence - the Reds have benefitted from a red-card and a last-minute winner in their recent victories - but the manner in which the side have performed in the absence of Argentina's captain will have pleased Benitez no end.
In particular, the performances of Brazilian Lucas Leiva have caught the eye. The Brazilian has never been a fans' favourite at Anfield, supporters were quick to howl their derision at a player who seemingly did little of note, save for conceding rash and unnecessary fouls.
DANNY Higginbotham says he was a victim of the officials, rather than being saved by them, on Saturday.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was furious that his struggling side didn't get a first-half penalty when midfielder Lucas Leiva went down under the Stoke defender's challenge ... only to be booked for diving.
Higginbotham claims referee Lee Mason was correct not to award a spot kick.
Lucas Leiva is desperate for Liverpool to carry the winning feeling into their crucial trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday. Rafa Benitez's struggling side beat 10-man Wolves on Boxing Day to record a welcome victory after the previous weekend's terrible display in defeat at Portsmouth.
