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More Pressure Playing For Liverpool Than For Brazil - Lucas Leiva
Kop critics the toughest around, says Selecao centre-man...
13-Nov-2009 1:22:00 PM
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that he feels more pressure while playing for the Merseysiders when compared to playing for Brazil.
The Reds are currently on one of their worst runs in decades, as one win in nine games in all competitions has posed all sorts of questions to a club that was vying to win the Premier League last season.
Lucas is quoted by Sporting Life as saying: "How do I find the pressure of playing for Brazil and Liverpool?
"To be honest, the pressure now at Liverpool is worse.
"With Brazil, we are qualified for the World Cup. We always have pressure when playing, especially when it is against England, a big team.
"But in Liverpool now it is greater because we are in a difficult situation. We have to qualify now for the Champions League and also in the Premier League, we have to be in the top four.
"I know the pressure at Liverpool is difficult but now we have to think about the games for the national team and, when we go back, to try and change the situation.
"Even now when I am here [with the national team], I don't feel well for Liverpool and no-one feels well. Of course, the results are not the best but I think if we keep the same mentality it will be okay.
"It is the time for Liverpool to keep together."
The former Gremio player believes that Rafael Benitez & co only need to iron out a few mistakes in defence to get the team back on track.
"I think Liverpool are playing well," he added.
"Maybe we need something more but I hope we turn the bad situation around.
"Even against Lyon [Olympique Lyonnais] and Birmingham [City], I think we played well. We conceded some goals, maybe from our mistakes, and we have to keep working and hopefully the national break will come at a good time for us."
Adithya Anath, Goal.com UK
The Reds are currently on one of their worst runs in decades, as one win in nine games in all competitions has posed all sorts of questions to a club that was vying to win the Premier League last season.
Lucas is quoted by Sporting Life as saying: "How do I find the pressure of playing for Brazil and Liverpool?
"To be honest, the pressure now at Liverpool is worse.
"With Brazil, we are qualified for the World Cup. We always have pressure when playing, especially when it is against England, a big team.
"But in Liverpool now it is greater because we are in a difficult situation. We have to qualify now for the Champions League and also in the Premier League, we have to be in the top four.
"I know the pressure at Liverpool is difficult but now we have to think about the games for the national team and, when we go back, to try and change the situation.
"Even now when I am here [with the national team], I don't feel well for Liverpool and no-one feels well. Of course, the results are not the best but I think if we keep the same mentality it will be okay.
"It is the time for Liverpool to keep together."
The former Gremio player believes that Rafael Benitez & co only need to iron out a few mistakes in defence to get the team back on track.
"I think Liverpool are playing well," he added.
"Maybe we need something more but I hope we turn the bad situation around.
"Even against Lyon [Olympique Lyonnais] and Birmingham [City], I think we played well. We conceded some goals, maybe from our mistakes, and we have to keep working and hopefully the national break will come at a good time for us."
Adithya Anath, Goal.com UK
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