Lucas: My Liverpool success down to Benitez
Lucas Leiva is grateful to Rafa Benitez for bringing him to Liverpool.
Brazil midfielder Lucas, voted fans’ player of the year for last season, is in his home country ahead of Copa America.
And he has thanked former Kop boss Benitez for putting so much faith in him.
He said: “He brought me to Liverpool and helped me to develop as a player. When I first came to the club the expectation was really high.
“I’m Brazilian but not everyone is a really skilful player like Romario or Ronaldinho. At the time I wasn’t ready to play in the Premier League. My body wasn’t ready.
“That’s why Rafa is one of the most important people for me. He gave me games and that’s the only way you improve.
“It’s hard when you are getting criticised but I wouldn’t change anything about my career at Liverpool.”
Lucas, signed from Gremio for £5m in 2007, added: “I’ve got no problem with the people who didn’t like me before.
“I knew I had to improve to make the fans change their opinion of me.
“There will be more difficult times but I’ll handle them.”
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Results & Fixtures
Matches
| Home | Away | Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun May 13th | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | Arsenal | 2 - 3 | 14:00 |
| Everton | Newcastle United | 3 - 1 | 14:00 |
| Sunderland | Manchester United | - 1 | 14:00 |
| Wigan Athletic | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 - 2 | 14:00 |
| Manchester City | Queens Park Rangers | 3 - 2 | 14:00 |
| Swansea City | Liverpool | 14:00 | |
| Norwich City | Aston Villa | 14:00 | |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Fulham | 14:00 | |
| Chelsea | Blackburn Rovers | 2 - 1 | 14:00 |
| Stoke City | Bolton Wanderers | 2 - 2 | 14:00 |
Tables
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 64 | 89 |
| Manchester United | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 56 | 89 |
| Arsenal | 38 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 25 | 70 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 25 | 69 |
| Newcastle United | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 65 |
| Chelsea | 38 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 64 |
| Everton | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 56 |
| Liverpool | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
| Fulham | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | -3 | 52 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | -7 | 47 |
| Swansea City | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | -7 | 47 |
| Norwich City | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | -14 | 47 |
| Sunderland | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | -1 | 45 |
| Stoke City | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | -17 | 45 |
| Wigan Athletic | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | -20 | 43 |
| Aston Villa | 38 | 7 | 17 | 14 | -16 | 38 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | -23 | 37 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 38 | 10 | 6 | 22 | -31 | 36 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 38 | 8 | 7 | 23 | -30 | 31 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 38 | 5 | 10 | 23 | -42 | 25 |
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Comments (5)
You are very lucky that scumbag gave you games, when he shouldnt. other players didnt have the chance, other players who could have a better and faster development than you. Ryan Babel is one of them. ok now you're better but you are still not in the same level as the Alonso's and Mascherano's. more evident will be needed
You just need time to develop as you are still young when u sign for liverpool.
Success?yeah success of hogging the 1st time slot just like FSW reserved fpr Kuyt.No wonder u guys won nothin.Thats ur success lol
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