Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has this week declared himself fit ahead of the Reds crucial top four clash against Arsenal on Saturday, the midfielder told Liverpool’s official website.
Lucas hasn’t started a Premier League game since last month’s Merseyside derby against Everton, after a thigh injury forced him off in the opening 15 minutes of the game. However, he was named on the bench against Man United before the international break and after completing 90 minutes in Steven Gerrard’s and Jamie Carragher’s All-Star game.
Liverpool are six points behind Arsenal and defeat may leave their top four hopes in tatters, a nine point gap is a significant lead at this stage of the season which would be difficult to claw back.
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“I feel great,” Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com.
“Leading up to the Manchester United game I had a full week of training as well, so it’s been two weeks of full training. I was available for the Manchester United game, but probably wasn’t able to play the whole game. Now I feel 100 per cent.
“Now it’s just a question of getting some minutes and training sessions, so that’s what I need and what I’m having. Leading into the Arsenal game that’s going to be good because I will have had three full weeks of training and I’m looking forward to it.”
Given Steven Gerrard’s impending three-match ban, Lucas’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for Brendan Rodgers. Before his injury, the Brazilian formed a solid partnership with Jordan Henderson in a new-look 3-4-3 formation.