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After being hampered in the pre-season with a hamstring problem, Lucas Leiva believes that he has recuperated and is ready to rejoin the team after the international break. As with every transfer window in the recent past, Lucas’s future with the team was uncertain up until the final days, but he has once again survived the shake up, and now he’s eager to contribute.
Klopp had him on the bench in the last match against Spurs, and after the two weeks of training that the international break affords players not shipping out with their national teams, Lucas believes he’s ready to see some minutes.
Speaking with the official website, Lucas said, “I’m 100 per cent I would say. I didn’t miss much, to be honest - I was only out for three-and-a-half weeks. I did a lot of training after that, played 45 minutes for the U23s and was on the bench the last game [at Tottenham]. I’m ready to go.
“I think I had a very good pre-season. I missed part of it but I think I’ve recovered. Now with the international break I have another two weeks to train hard and I feel very fit.
“If I had had to start the game, Spurs would probably be too early because I played 45 minutes for the U23s the day before, but if I’d have had to come on I would have been fine.
“As I said, I have two weeks to work more and be ready. I would say I’m now ready to play 90 minutes.”
It remains to be seen what role Klopp envisions for Lucas this season — whether he’ll be back up at in defense or return to the defensive midfielder position that he’s accustomed to. Either way, a fit Lucas is a benefit to Klopp in terms of flexibility and team selection as the season begins grinding into full speed after the break.