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Liverpool Midfielder Enjoying Hot Competition Thursday 7th May 2009
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is enjoying his football at Anfield and says playing amongst the cream of the crop has made him a better footballer.
The Brazilian international has been used as a holding midfielder by manager Rafael Benitez this season but has faced stiff competition for a first-team place.
Although Benitez is much famed for his rotation policy, Lucas remains down in the pecking order behind Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano and has to work extremely hard to be in with a shout of the team-sheet.
But the 22-year-old believes playing with these players has raised his game as looks to prove himself on Merseyside.
“It’s good because when you are fighting with players like Alonso and Javier you try to improve every day,” he said.
“You know if you don’t improve it will be impossible to play. I am learning, but Steven Gerrard is 29, Alonso is almost 28, Javier is almost 25 and I’m 22 so I’m young and I have to enjoy this time and to learn with them.
“Hopefully in one or two years I will be a key player also. When I don’t start I play some minutes – that shows how confident Rafa is in my quality.
“I know not everybody trusts in me but I don’t care. I have said before I just care about the team, and the staff. If they are happy in me I will show, as soon as possible, my real quality.”
Fantasy Stakes players should note that although Lucas is not regarded as a first-team regular he has made 23 appearances in the Premier League so far this campaign – albeit 12 of those were from the bench.
While he may be a player for the future, fantasy football players may want to take a gamble on the Brazilian as Liverpool desperately cling on to their title hopes.
The Reds travel to Upton Park to face in-form West Ham in a must-win game at the weekend.
