Lucas: What Stevie taught me about Merseyside derbies

Since moving to the club in 2007, the Brazilian has faced the Blues on 13 occasions – indeed, he’s only crossed swords with Chelsea more often (17 matches) – but this afternoon will be the first time he’s done so without Gerrard.

The former Anfield captain will no doubt be glued to a television set in Los Angeles watching events unfold at Goodison Park this afternoon, and Lucas is ready to utilise all he’s learnt from him over the years as he aims to help Liverpool secure three points against their neighbours.

“With Stevie, we could see during the week, his emotion was a little bit different [leading up to the derby],” he said.

“He was super-focused, the only thing he talked about was the derby and not losing it. It’s something I learned from him and being here over the years, I have the same feeling as that right now.

“I understand how important it is for the fans, for the club and for the players as well. If we play like he he did for many years [in the derby] and with his passion, we have a chance to win.

“It’s always a special week and he’ll be excited as well to watch the game as a fan.”

Along with Martin Skrtel, Lucas is the longest-serving player in the current Liverpool squad.

Therefore, he’s well aware he’ll have an important role to play in guiding the team’s younger members through the 90 minutes across Stanley Park.

“I’m trying to do that every day,” said the 28-year-old. “I’ve seen since Stevie left, myself and Skrtel became the two longest [current serving players] and we have a responsibility to show the players that have arrived how much it means to the people and how big this club is.

“I’ve been here for many years and I understand how much it means. The likes of Skrtel does too because he’s been here for so long, and other players too. They can see around the city how much it means.”

Everton go into the game one point ahead of Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League table.

Most recently, the Blues came from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory at West Bromwich Albion; nevertheless, Lucas insists the Reds will go there with confidence.

He said: “They will have the belief because they are playing well at the moment. They are playing at home and had a very good win on Monday [at West Brom].

“But it’s a derby and when it comes to a derby, we’ve seen many times the ‘favourite’, or the team that is in the best moment, doesn’t mean much in the game. It’s a game where you can change things around as well.

“The feeling here is good. We’ve drawn a few games and beat Aston Villa – but we have the confidence we can go there and win.”

Liverpool will welcome Daniel Sturridge back into the fold after he was rested for Thursday evening’s draw with FC Sion, continuing on the road back to full fitness following injury.

The forward struck two clinical efforts in his last appearance to help Brendan Rodgers’ side to a 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Anfield last weekend.

Lucas feels the return of a firing Sturridge is cause for optimism within the camp.

“Daniel has proved he is a goalscorer and when you have a player like him playing in your side and fit, it is always a boost,” said the No.21. “He showed that against Aston Villa, even though he is still not 100 per cent.

“We’ve seen in the last couple of years when he has been fit, he can score 20-plus goals. That’s what we hope he can do again.

“Danny Ings is doing very well, too. His work rate is fantastic, and he will be looking to score more goals as well.”

Lucas added: “The players are starting to understand each other much better – myself and Milner, for example. It’s just about time and the more we play together, the more used to each other we become, both technically and tactically. We are improving.

“Maybe people don’t see it much, but here at the training ground we are analysing our performances and I think we are moving in the right way.

“But of course, when it comes to games you need to get wins first before performances. We are on the right track.”