Lucas Leiva

Brazil international Lucas Leiva has given a reflection on his first season with Lazio. The 31-year-old ended his ten-year association with Liverpool last summer in order to head to Rome and he has since transformed his game with an improved sense of attacking intent. Leiva only managed seven goals for Liverpool over the course of a ten-year career but with Lazio, he has already managed four goals in the space of just 12 months.

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Leiva admitted that Klopp always encouraged him to push further up the field and he has now begun to take more risks without letting the team being exposed, he said: “I’ve been working on this. I remember Klopp as well, he said a few times to me I could score a few goals. But it was something in my head that was blocking me and I had a different perception.

Newly-appointed Rangers manager Steven Gerrard spoke fondly about Lucas Leiva during a recent interview with Corriere dello Sport. The former England international shared a good camaraderie with Leiva during their time together at Liverpool and he spoke about some of the midfielder’s qualities with the Italian publication.

He said:“I wish Lucas the best of luck for the rest of his career. He is certainly one of the best people I have met during my time in football, throughout my career. I have enormous respect for Lucas, both as a player and as a person. He is one of the most professional players I have ever played alongside. He gave his very best every time he represented Liverpool. You can talk about what he gives to the team, in terms of their style of play. As a human being, Lucas has immense qualities that are just as important as his ability as a footballer.”

Agent Mateja Kezman has revealed that there has been not any agreement in regards to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s departure from Lazio in the summer. The Serbia international has turned heads across Europe after a standout campaign in the Lazio shirt and this has spread speculation of him pursuing a big-money move elsewhere.

Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva has admitted that qualifying for the Champions League remains the club’s main aim for the current campaign. The Brazilian has suggested that Lazio are eager to compete in the elite competition, and they do not mind progressing through a top-four league finish or by winning the Europa League altogether.

BBrazil international Lucas Leiva believes Lazio can go all the way and lift the Europa League title this term. The 31-year-old bagged his second European goal of the season in the 2-0 win at Dynamo Kiev, and this ensured that Lazio progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition with a 4-2 aggregate win over their Ukrainian rivals.

Brazilian footballer Lucas Leiva has admitted that he is enjoying the opportunity to represent Lazio whom he joined from Liverpool at the start of the season. The 31-year-old’s career appeared to have reached a standstill with the Reds, where his chances were limited, and this urged him to make the switch to the Capital outfit.

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has rubbished suggestions that he influenced Philippe Coutinho's decision to join Barcelona during the winter transfer window. Coutinho had been on the Catalans radar since the start of the season, and he finally realised his move last week after the Reds agreed on a record £142m package for his sale.

Since then, Leiva has suggested that Coutinho would have a better preparation with Barcelona for World Cup finals in the summer as the Brazilian would not have to feature in the Champions League, where he is ineligible courtesy of his participation for the Reds in the same competition.

Brazil international Lucas Leiva has revealed that he has settled quickly to life in the Serie A following his switch from Liverpool during the summer transfer window. The 30-year-old made nearly 350 appearances during his 10-year stay in Merseyside but decided for a fresh challenge after being used as a backup option by Jurgen Klopp in recent seasons. In a recent interview, Leiva was pleased to have made the switch during the summer, and he is now relishing the opportunity of playing regularly with Lazio, who have made strong progressed in the Serie A this campaign, he said:

"After ten years in Liverpool I was looking for a new challenge. The team, the league and the city had all an impact on my decision to come here. I still have many friends in Liverpool, including Steven Gerrard. He was an amazing footballer and he taught me a lot as captain. Now I am here and I settled in quickly. That's because I came in an organized team, where almost everyone already knew each other."

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has reportedly hinted that he would prefer to end his professional career with hometown club River Plate. The Argentina international has more than 18 months left on his Barca contract, but he is already weighing up his next challenge away from Camp Nou.

Speaking to reporters, the Argentina was in favour of making a comeback with River Plate without leaving a mention for ex-club Liverpool, he said: "I believe I need to give a chapter of my career to River Plate. My problem is this is not guaranteed and I could be a prisoner of my own words, if the move does not happen I may be accused of lying. But the truth is that this is what I have thought about, but I have a good relationship with the club’s president Rodolfo D’Onofrio and we speak regularly. What will I be doing in January or summer? I have no idea."

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare believes that his side are playing best football in Italy, and deserve to be attracting bigger crowds at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Capital outfit have won five of their seven Serie A outings this term, and they are currently just five points behind Napoli, who have achieved a perfect start to the campaign. Lazio thrashed Sassuolo by a 6-1 scoreline during recent league outing and Tare is frustrated that the club's form is viewed as a surprise by some.