Interview'It all began here' - why representing Liverpool in Hong Kong is so special to Lucas Leiva

Immediately after signing for the Reds in the summer of 2007, Lucas met his new teammates for the first time when joining up with the squad ahead of their departure for a pre-season trip to Asia.

And 18 years on, the ex-Brazil international is once again representing the club in Hong Kong – this time in the capacity of a legend, along with the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush.

Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com at the team hotel: “It all began here and 18 years after I am here as a former player and doing a lot of work for the club. It’s amazing, it’s where everything started.

“I would never have imagined I would be doing this back then – I would have said you were crazy to say it! I am really proud to be here and I always like to say that because to represent Liverpool is unique.

“I think a lot of people would like to be in my position and I’m just privileged to be here.”

Recalling his first visit back in 2007, Lucas – who would go on to make 346 appearances across a 10-year Liverpool career – said: “I was at the U20 World Cup with Brazil and then I flew to London and waited for the team to get there, I think they were playing somewhere else.

“I remember I was in a big room, a dining room, and then the players started to arrive: Stevie [Gerrard], Crouchy [Peter Crouch], Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, [Javier] Mascherano and I was like, ‘Wow! What is this?’

“Then we flew from London to Hong Kong so my first pre-season with the club and my first game for the club were here.

“Of course, I knew Liverpool was a big club but I didn’t realise how big, with fans waiting at the airport and in the lobby of the hotel. So, 18 years later I am here again in a different role but still with Liverpool, which is amazing.”

Lucas, who left the Reds for Lazio and later returned to boyhood club Gremio before retiring from playing in 2023, has experienced many pre-season tours with Liverpool but admits the level of support for the club around the globe still leaves him amazed.

“It’s just incredible because anywhere you go in the world you have a big, big Liverpool community and it’s still growing, which means that the club has achieved something that is very difficult and goes through generations,” he added.

“It’s fantastic and I think it’s a great moment for the fans as well. A lot of them won’t have the chance to go to Anfield to watch a game, so it’s a big chance for them to watch a friendly, to meet some players and former players and understand how Liverpool is as a club.

“It’s a big family. It’s a big club, but it’s a big family at the end of the day.”

• Watch Liverpool v AC Milan in Hong Kong live on All Red Video