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Every cheap magazine in the check out line at the grocery store features a terribad page spread declaring CELEBRITIES: THEY'RE JUST LIKE US. See how they pump gas! Watch as they emerge from Starbucks wearing sweatpants! Observe their faces in natural light and sans film set make up! It is an entirely ridiculous magazine feature, not least of which is because even famous people have to do normal every day things once in a while like the rest of us mere mortals.
Enter footballers, who we frequently forget are also fans of the game themselves until suddenly they get asked for their all time starting XI for one reason or another. This time out it was Lucas Leiva naming his line up as part of a Sky Sports fantasy football initiative, and Liverpool fans will be pleased to know that the veteran Brazilian made room for many of his past teammates in red. Footballers: they're just as biased as us!
On Steven Gerrard:
Of course, most people would have Stevie as a No 8, but I have seen enough of him as a No 10 to know it will work. He is a pleasure to play with, and leads by example every day.
On Luis Suarez:
He never stops running, chasing and pressing the defenders. To have a player like him playing against you is a nightmare as you never have any time.
On Daniel Agger:
He had everything for a defender. Was so good on the ball, driving the team forward. He is aggressive and strong, and is what you want to see in a defender.
Lucas also had kind words to say about Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, and the Brazil internationals who made up the remainder of the squad. The list isn't a quintessential list of all-time top talents by any stretch of the imagination, but it's always nice to glean a little insight into what players themselves value in their peers.
Lucas' full line up:
Pepe Reina
Maicon, Daniel Agger, Thiago Silva, Marcelo
Xabi Alonso, Gilberto Silva, Steven Gerrard
Ronaldinho, Luis Suarez, Neymar
