Lucas Leiva Tips Liverpool to Win EFL Cup

Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 at Anfield on Tuesday night to advance to the EFL Cup quarterfinals. Runners-up in last year’s competition, the Reds are attempting to pick up the domestic trophy for the first time since 2012.

Veteran midfielder and occasional defender Lucas Leiva believes that after overcoming Spurs, Liverpool have what it takes to win the cup again. While Lucas is one a few players from that season who still remains with the Reds, he missed most of it after damaging his ACL in the league cup quarterfinal in November 2011.

However unlucky that made him, Lucas has always seemed like an upbeat guy, and his confidence in this Liverpool team’s abilities is no exception.

Speaking after their victory, Lucas said, “Last year we came very close, but we don't have any European (games) this year and hopefully we can win all three competitions. It was very good experience for (the young players), and they will develop. I think the manager showed the trust that he has in the squad and I think it was the right decision."

Despite committing the foul that led to the Spurs penalty and their only goal, Lucas put on an otherwise decent performance. Once again asked to occupy the empty center-back position, Lucas proved himself to be an adaptable and useful squad player. He even initiated some moves that led to some good chances that the Reds were unlucky not to capitalize on.

With Mamadou Sakho out of favor, it would seem that he and Ragnar Klavan, two experienced, steady hands, will be Klopp’s reserve center-back partnership. Despite one or two hiccups, the pairing seem to be working out pretty well so far.