Lucas Leiva has been key to Liverpool’s revival. The Reds now must continue their resurgence without the Brazilian midfielder.
Lucas suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s Merseyside derby that will sideline him during a critical period of Liverpool’s season. Lucas underwent a scan Monday, and results will confirm the extent of the damage. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers doesn’t expect to call on Lucas for duty any time soon, according to LiverpoolFC.com.
“Lucas is one that will probably miss a little bit of time,” Rodgers said Monday. “We’re just waiting on the exact results of the scan.”
Lucas limped off the field 16 minutes into Liverpool’s goal-less draw with Everton. An abductor injury prevented him from playing in the win over Bolton three days prior. He didn’t practice before the Merseyside derby, but Rodgers gambled and started him against the Toffees. His latest injury is believed to be a new problem.
The Mail and the Guardian now report Lucas could miss a month of action.
Liverpool now must enter a season-defining period without Lucas. The Reds face Tottenham in a Premier League game Tuesday and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Reds then will play Besiktas twice in the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 on Thursday, Feb. 19 and 26. Crunch Premier League games against Southampton on Feb. 22 and Manchester City on March 1 also beckon.
Lucas has played in 19 of Liverpool’s last 21 games (in all competitions) since late November. The Reds only have lost once in those games in which Lucas has featured during that stretch of games, prompting Rodgers to issue a “hands-off” warning to potential suitors in the January transfer window.
Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
