Latest news with #LucasLeiva
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool change in transfer plan explained as verdict shared on £300m arrivals
Lucas Leiva believes the settled nature of Liverpool's squad will allow Florian Wirtz the freedom to justify his £116m price tag. And the former midfielder says no-one at Anfield will be uneasy about the raft of new arrivals this summer. Wirtz became the most expensive Liverpool signing of all time when the Premier League champions agreed to pay Bayer Leverkusen an initial £100m with a further £16m in success-based add-ons last month and the Bundesliga player of the season arrives amid huge excitement among the Reds' fanbase. The 22-year-old followed on from the £29m addition of his Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong before a £40m capture of Milos Kerkez was confirmed from Bournemouth later that month. READ MORE: Liverpool midfielder makes 'surprise' admission ahead of transfer decision READ MORE: Liverpool transfer intrigue grows over missing forward as new multi-year deal announced Liverpool are now on the cusp of committing a further £79m for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike and inclusive of the £29m deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer from Valencia, Liverpool have now spent close to £300m in what has been a history-making summer transfer window already, with over a month still to go. Lucas, who served Liverpool for 10 years prior to his 2017 departure, thinks the makeup of the squad means Wirtz will find it easier to play the sort of football that emboldened the club fend off interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to land him in a blockbuster deal in June. "I have seen him a bit, not much, but I think he is a midfielder who can score goals, can assist and link-up with the strikers - we don't know the system that Arne [Slot] will probably play - but I think he will add something different to the players we have in midfield," Lucas told the ECHO in Hong Kong. "Of course, the price tag, it always comes with big expectations but I think he has shown that he is capable of doing that and he won the league, the cup and he has good experience as a national team player so I think he is arriving in a team that is very well organised, which will just give him the freedom to express himself. "I think, you know, new signings are always welcome when they come to add something more to this squad. Because it is what players expect from the new players: to add something more that they maybe don't have - or they have to replace someone that had to leave or moved on. "No, I think in a team like Liverpool, competition is always there. People understand if they don't want competition they cannot be at Liverpool because you fight for titles, you fight for good things and you must have competition for places in every single position. "You cannot do this on your own, that is very clear. So in the same way, of course fans get excited when you have a lot of players coming in and spending a lot of money but let's not forget that players who are already here now or was here last year, we didn't have as many signings and we still won the league. "So it's important that these new players will feel the culture of the team that will help them to succeed but the players who are here already, they have a strong base to keep going forward. So it doesn't mean that we spend a lot of money and we're going to win. But it's clear that I am sure they will add something the team needs to keep competitive." Lucas added: "Building from a position of strength? Exactly. That is how I see it. Many years ago, we had so many injury problems and I remember a season where we ended up with almost no defenders (2020/21) and so I think the club realised that it needs to have depth because if you have injuries, you can replace players of the same level and I think it is that. I can imagine that is what the club is thinking. "It is really important [for the seniors players to maintain club culture] and I think we have so many leaders in that team now. Alisson, Virgil, Mo Salah, Robertson. So it is really important to help these players, the new signings, to understand the role they are playing. "And also to understand the culture of work, of a team and we can see that Liverpool, no-one who is more important than the team and it is really hard, it seems easy, but it is really hard to create that culture and that is why Liverpool have been so successful." Liverpool return to action when they meet AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Saturday before jetting out to Japan for the second leg of their Asian tour.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Liverpool FC claim 1.2 million fans in Hong Kong. Here's how they organise
Liverpool Football Club claim to have 1.2 million fans in Hong Kong. On Saturday, several thousand of them will watch their heroes play in the city not only for the first time in eight years, but also as Premier League champions. For members of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club Hong Kong, it is an experience they will truly never forget. The group's chairman, Ian McAlan, said the club had been full of surprises to ensure a memorable visit. 'On Tuesday, the club put on an event with Lucas Leiva and former women's captain Niamh Fahey that we were all excited about – but then, as a surprise, Kenny Dalglish walks in,' McAlan told the Post. 'Suddenly, this room full of adults turns into a group of five-year-olds as we're all completely awestruck.' Liverpool favourites Jerzy Dudek (left) and Sami Hyypia drink with fans in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout But it did not stop there. After another event on Wednesday, hosted by 2005 Champions League winners Jerzy Dudek and Sami Hyypia, there was an even bigger surprise on Friday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lucas hails underrated star's influence at Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister: Liverpool's Underrated Midfield Maestro Lucas Leiva's Praise Highlights Mac Allister's True Value While Liverpool's summer signing of Florian Wirtz has dominated the headlines, one of the club's most vital midfielders continues to operate under the radar. Former Liverpool favourite Lucas Leiva has come out in full support of Alexis Mac Allister, highlighting the Argentine's immense but often overlooked contributions to the Reds' title-winning campaign. Speaking to Redmen TV, Lucas offered a glowing assessment: 'What a player, what a fantastic player. I think he's capable of doing that link, you know, between defence and attack.' It's a simple statement, but one that perfectly encapsulates what Mac Allister brings to this Liverpool side. Why Mac Allister Matters More Than the Headlines Suggest When Wirtz arrived for a record £116m fee, it was natural for fans and pundits alike to turn their attention to the German starlet. But as Lucas rightly pointed out, the groundwork in Liverpool's midfield has already been laid—largely by Mac Allister. 'Very composed, you know, I agree, probably he doesn't get the headlines, but I'm sure inside the team, he's well respected,' Lucas added. Indeed, while the spotlight often shines on goal scorers and creative flair, it's Mac Allister's ability to stitch transitions together and provide stability that makes him invaluable. Signed from Brighton for just £35m, the 25-year-old has been one of the Premier League's best-value transfers. His vision, composure, and tactical awareness have allowed him to flourish both for Liverpool and Argentina. Lucas highlighted this versatility: 'It's not only for Liverpool, before as well, for the national team, you know, he plays a big part of the success of the Argentina.' Quiet Influence Set to Grow Looking ahead, Mac Allister's responsibilities are only going to increase. With Wirtz operating further forward and Ryan Gravenberch sitting deeper, the Argentine is expected to serve as a roaming 'floater'—the connector who starts moves and finishes them when needed. 'He helps as well, the players around him to play better,' Lucas said. That influence will be crucial if Liverpool hope to defend their Premier League title under Arne Slot. In a summer of new faces and shifting expectations, Mac Allister remains a cornerstone. His role might not grab the back pages, but within the dressing room—and increasingly among the fanbase—his reputation is growing fast. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis From a fan's perspective, Lucas Leiva's comments resonate deeply. Alexis Mac Allister might not deliver viral moments or last-minute winners every week, but what he offers is consistency, intelligence, and elite footballing IQ. He's the kind of player who simplifies the game while making everyone around him better. Fans often talk about a 'system player' as a slight—but in Mac Allister's case, that's a badge of honour. He adapts, he covers, he dictates tempo. And when he does pop up with a long-range strike or a perfectly timed assist, it only reinforces what the match-watchers already know: he's quality through and through. With Wirtz's creative licence and Gravenberch's defensive cover, Mac Allister is being positioned as Liverpool's tactical fulcrum. That role demands trust, and the fact he's been handed it says everything. He may not seek the limelight, but he earns respect the hard way—week after week, minute by minute. The hope now is that wider audiences start recognising what Lucas, his teammates, and supporters already see: Alexis Mac Allister is one of the best in the business, and Liverpool are fortunate to have him.
New York Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool and the booing of one of their own
Initially the Kop made their point in a subtle way. As Trent Alexander-Arnold stood on the touchline waiting to come on midway through the second half, they broke into a stirring rendition of the song dedicated to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. It was a nod to the kind of iconic status Alexander-Arnold has effectively given up by deciding to leave his boyhood club and join Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer. One of the reasons Gerrard is so adored is that he showed such loyalty in the face of regular attempts from European heavyweights to prise him away. Fellow academy graduate Conor Bradley, who represents Liverpool's future at right-back, was then serenaded by supporters as he walked over to be replaced. It was at that moment the mood changed. Then it was about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The boos and the jeers which accompanied the sight of Alexander-Arnold stepping on to the field grew louder each time he touched the ball. They emanated from a significant minority of the home supporters determined to vent their spleen at the vice-captain as he graced Anfield for the first time since last Monday's public announcement. Alexander-Arnold looked shellshocked and so did many of his team-mates. Not only was it brutal, it was also unprecedented. What happened to you'll never walk alone? Clearly, you do in some people's eyes if you run down your contract and decide to move to Real Madrid for nothing. Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva was once booed by Liverpool fans when he was struggling for form during a dour stalemate at home to Fulham in November 2008, but it wasn't either as sustained or as vitriolic as this. Not even Roy Hodgson received this kind of treatment in the dark days of 2010-11 as his abject side lurched towards a relegation battle. He was only subjected to ironic chants of 'Hodgson for England' before getting the sack. There was nothing playful about this and it proved to be self-destructive as Arsenal fed off all the negativity. Squabbles broke out in the stands as fans argued amongst themselves over how Alexander-Arnold was being treated. This was the day that the title party turned sour. Having already halved the deficit through Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta's side soon equalised through Mikel Merino, whose subsequent sending off for a second yellow card belatedly helped Liverpool to stem the tide. 'There's a lot of emotion around it,' left-back Andy Robertson, one of Alexander-Arnold's closest friends, told Sky Sports. 'It's crucial in these moments that I don't tell you how to feel and you don't tell me how to feel about it. All I can do is tell you how I feel about it. 'First of all, I'm disappointed to lose my best mate. He's an amazing player and person. His legacy at this club is there to see. The trophies he's won, the moments he's had in history will always be there. I'm extremely proud of him. For Trent, it's not been an easy one. Of course it's not, but he's made the decision. It's not nice to see a friend get booed.' To his credit, Alexander-Arnold didn't hide. He kept demanding the ball and would have created a golden chance for fellow substitute Darwin Nunez if the Uruguayan's control hadn't let him down. Alexander-Arnold took responsibility with a free kick which he curled just wide and, then deep into stoppage time at the end, provided another inviting cross which just eluded the on-rushing Diogo Jota and Nunez. Rather than make a beeline for the tunnel straight after the final whistle he went to applaud all four sides of Anfield as he was subjected to more boos. Luis Diaz wrapped a consoling arm around him as Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai looked genuinely taken aback by the reaction from the stands. He remains a popular figure in the dressing room and they were hurting for him. For some supporters, a sense of anger and upset stems from the fact Alexander-Arnold is leaving on a free transfer. They can't understand why someone who previously talked about wanting to captain his boyhood club would want to walk out the door just after Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions. But others believe that, having clocked up more than 350 appearances and won the lot with the club he joined at the age of six, he's earned the right t0 pursue a fresh challenge in a new country and depart with his head held high. What's undeniable is that the sight of someone who has contributed so much to Liverpool's success in the modern era being subjected to such treatment on Sunday was deeply uncomfortable. Anfield season-ticket holder and UK member of parliament for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne posted on X: 'You never boo a Liverpool player who pulls on that precious red shirt ever.' You never boo a Liverpool player who pulls on that precious red shirt ever. — lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) May 11, 2025 Arne Slot knew what was going to dominate the narrative when he arrived for his post-match press conference. As he took a seat, he smiled and asked the assembled reporters: 'Who is going to start with the first Trent question?' Six of them followed. Of course, Slot could have avoided the situation entirely by leaving Alexander-Arnold on the bench, but this wasn't on him. Bradley was clearly tiring having struggled at times defensively in the second half. Yes, Slot could have brought on Jarell Quansah instead, but he wanted to give Liverpool the best possible chance of winning the game. How was Slot to know that the atmosphere would turn so toxic? The Dutch head coach knew for certain two months ago that he would be losing Alexander-Arnold in the summer. The reason he's continued to select him when fit is because his attitude and application has been unwavering. Why cast him aside now? 'It's a privilege to live in Europe where everyone can have their own opinion and express their own opinion. That is what we saw today,' Slot said diplomatically. 'All of them were not happy with him leaving the club, a few of them showed it by booing him and a few of them clapped. Was it half and half? Was it 60-40? If you clap it is not as loud as if you boo but I didn't count them. 'I owe it to the players in the dressing room to make decisions to try to win the game. If I think there is a better chance of winning it with Trent I will (play him).' Slot is right to stick to his guns. Leaving Alexander-Arnold out of the squad for the final two games, the trophy presentation and the parade around the city on May 26 would be ridiculous. He's played 43 times this season and deserves to be involved. No one is suggesting a starting place or a big send off, but there should be respect and appreciation for the service he's given. A fortnight earlier during the title celebrations after the win over Tottenham, Alexander-Arnold had basked in the adulation of the Kop as he stood with his arms outstretched as they chanted about 'the Scouser in our team'. On Sunday that must have felt a lifetime ago as those same fans turned on him. Considering what he's achieved, this is a sad way for it to end.
