Lucas: Liverpool FC will be part of my life forever
The past decade at Liverpool may have 'gone very quickly' for Lucas Leiva but it has also given the Brazilian friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Today marks exactly 10 years since a deal was completed to bring the midfielder from Gremio, in the south of his home country, to the north west of England and Anfield.
Since then, the No.21 has made 344 appearances for the Reds, including 29 this season and frequently at centre-back as Lucas adapted to remain a regular option for Jürgen Klopp.
Following a celebration dinner to acknowledge his service to the club last month, he was presented with the Special Recognition Award at the annual LFC Players’ Awards on Tuesday night.
“An incredible award – I’m really proud,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I just want to thank Liverpool Football Club for giving me the opportunity to come to such a big club. To be playing [here] for 10 years is a massive achievement for me. I’m really proud and proud of my family as well. It’s special.
“It seems that it’s a long time but, to be honest, it has gone very quickly. Of course in difficult moments, it goes a little bit slower. But, overall, it has been very positive – I have learned a lot and I have improved as a player and as a person as well.
“Liverpool is a family club. I feel I have made many friends and people that will be part of my life forever. That’s why I’m so grateful.”
Reflection on the previous 10 years comes secondary to the current task at hand, however, with Liverpool in need of successive victories against West Ham United and Middlesbrough to claim a place in the Premier League top four.
And Lucas is keen to continue to play a part in the final two games after featuring so often as the Reds have inched towards their objective in recent months.
“We have two finals really,” he added. “If we win, we will qualify for the Champions League for next year.
“For me, it was a difficult start [to the season]. But I just kept going, kept training and kept fit. I knew the opportunity would come at some point in the season – it’s normal, injuries happen and the manager needs different kinds of players.
“I’m just trying to help as much as I can and these next two games will be very important for the club’s future. We hope we can win these two games.”