Lucas expects an instant response to Liverpool’s League Cup exit…
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes his side’s mid-season revival is still in full effect, despite their defeat to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
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The in-form Brazilian was part of the side cruelly beaten by the Blues in extra time at Stamford Bridge, and is eager to help ensure that the Reds bounce back when they taken on West Ham later today.
West Ham, who currently sit a point above Liverpool in seventh place in the league table, will certainly provide a stern test, having already beaten the Reds 3-1 at Upton Park earlier this season.
Lucas and co have lost just one of their last ten league matches, lifting us to within five points of the top four. With FA Cup and Europa League fixtures still to look forward to, the 28-year-old believes there is plenty of reason for optimism.
“We have everything in place to go and win the game and keep climbing in the table,” he told our official website.
“They have changed a little bit the way they play, but they still have that physical presence.
“With Andy [Carroll] back, there is a threat in the air, but they have a lot of players that can play. Stewart Downing is in a very good moment, as are other players.
“It’s been a very good season for them and they are probably coming here with a lot of confidence and hoping they will get something from the game.
“We just have to approach it in the same way we approached the other games, with a lot of confidence also because we are in a good moment despite the defeat in the cup.
Lucas was heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool earlier this season, with the Daily Mirror claiming interest from Inter Milan, but the holding midfielder now looks back to his best after a series of injury problems and surely won’t be going anywhere.