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.
Lucas Leiva has set his sights on earning a Brazil call-up following his switch to Lazio earlier this summer.
The midfielder won just one League Cup during his decade-long spell at Anfield, but his time at Lazio started on a fruitful note as his debut came in a 3-2 triumph over Juventus in the Italian Super Cup. As a result, Leiva has already added to his trophy cabinet in Rome, and he is now said to be eyeing a comeback with Brazil.
Former Liverpool defender Lucas Leiva, who moved to the Serie A this summer, says he specifically chose Lazio despite the flurry of interests.
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva had ended his decade-long stint with Liverpool to join Serie A club Lazio in a £5 million deal.
Brasileirao Serie A side Gremio are plotting an attempt to re-sign midfielder Lucas Leiva following his release from Liverpool earlier this month.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and John Terry sit atop the list of the experienced players that are up for grabs this summer after they were released from their contracts by their clubs.
