Source: Liverpool_Echo
Lucas keen to prove worth to Liverpool FC following Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid
THE departure of Xabi Alonso may be tough to take but for one man the Spaniard's exit represents the ideal opportunity to finally prove he's good enough to make the grade at Anfield.[LNB]Lucas has struggled to endear himself to supporters since he arrived from Gremio two years ago.[LNB]Limited first team chances and indifferent form meant many wrote him off as a £6million mistake.[LNB]He was booed by his own fans at Anfield last season and a dismissal in the FA Cup defeat at Goodison left him at rock bottom.[LNB]But Rafa Benitez never lost faith in the 22-year-old and after finishing last season strongly Lucas has carried on where he left off.[LNB]Liverpool have hardly set the world alight during their pre-season travels.[LNB]In half their six matches they've failed to find the net and only Singapore and Norwegian whipping boys FC Lyn have been defeated.[LNB]However, a feature of their build up has been Lucas' consistent and commanding midfield performances.[LNB]Benitez may have lined up £20million man Alberto Aquilani as Alonso's replacement but the Italian is some way off full fitness.[LNB]The manager needs someone to star alongside Javier Mascherano when their Premier League campaign starts at Spurs next Sunday and Lucas is up for the challenge.[LNB]'I am always ready and now Xabi is gone I hope there will be more opportunities for me,' he said.
