Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FCs Lucas enjoying the view from midfield ahead of Fiorentina clash
LUCAS LEIVA is enjoying the view from the heart of Liverpool’s midfield.
Six successive wins in all competitions have yielded 18 goals and transformed the mood in the squad following a sluggish start to the campaign.
The Brazilian has played a key role in the Reds’ resurgence with a series of increasingly assured displays.
His critics are being won over but the 22-year-old is happy to do the hard yards and let others take the plaudits.
Lucas admits he watched and admired as Fernando Torres ripped Hull to shreds in Saturday’s 6-1 trashing at Anfield.
The striker’s stunning hat-trick took his tally to five in two games and put him on top of the Premier League scoring charts with eight goals.
Now Lucas is backing him to maintain his hot streak on the continent.
Tonight’s Champions League opponents Fiorentina will undoubtedly provide a step up in class.
The Viola are fourth in Serie A – just two points adrift of early pace-setters Sampdoria – and have won all three of their league games in the Stadio Artemio Franchi without their defences being breached.
However, Lucas believes on current form Torres is virtually unstoppable.
“It’s great to see Fernando playing so well and scoring a lot of goals,” he said. “He has so much power, he’s quick, he works so hard and he’s a very good finisher.
“We are really happy that he is on our team because when he is playing like this it’s really difficult to stop him.
“His goals are very important for us.
“When he gets the ball we always know he will create something. If he has a chance he will usually take it.
“The rest of us have to work really hard to keep creating opportunities for him.
“I don’t think there is a better striker than him in the world at the moment. Hopefully he will stay at this level for the whole season.”
