Lucas goes on the offensive for Liverpool FC

IT WAS a moment which underlined the rush of confidence sweeping through Rafa Benitez's side.Lucas Leiva, so often the target of Kopites' frustration, embarked on a dazzling run into the penalty box.Lille defender Adil Rami clumsily upended him, Steven Gerrard netted from the spot and Liverpool were on course for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.Having been cast aside for Alberto Aquilani against Portsmouth, Lucas impressed on his return to the heart of the Reds' midfield on Thursday night.The much maligned Brazilian relished the chance to play in a more advanced role and deserved the plaudits that rightly came his way.Lucas, like many of his team-mates, looks rejuvenated ahead of tomorrow's lunchtime showdown at Old Trafford, although the 23-year-old fears he may never win over his fiercest Anfield critics.'I felt I did well but I know some people will not ever turn to my side,' he said.'I guess I have to play for the people who believe in me and who like me. I'm just trying to keep focused and keep working.'Maybe 80% of my time in Liverpool has been difficult for me but when I came here I learned to take just the positive things. If you focus on the negatives maybe you won't improve.'Sometimes people just don't understand why I'm not going forward all the time. A lot of times I have to help out defensively rather than attack.'But against Lille I was able to get forward more when I felt the time was right. The manager just said they were good on the counter attack with quick players so we had to be careful.'But it was important we got forward as we needed goals. It was good to win the penalty early on to give us an advantage.

Source: Liverpool_Echo