Title challenge crucial to long-serving Lucas as he considers his future

SOUTHAMPTON

V LIVERPOOL

Midfielder Lucas Leiva admits Liverpool’s title challenge could keep him at the club until the end of the season but he is now seriously considering his long-term future.

The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player, his ten-year anniversary due this summer, but he has been a squad player under manager Jurgen Klopp, making just 14 appearances this season and only three league starts.

Having turned 30 on Monday, Lucas knows he needs more game time but will only leave in January if he can secure a permanent deal which would virtually see him to the end of his career.

He has been the subject of a number of lucrative offers in the last three transfer windows but stayed in order to help out the club as his experience was still needed.

His loyalty has been rewarded with Klopp, albeit reluctantly, accepting he should be allowed to leave should the right bid arrive in this window.

Lucas, pictured, insists he does not know where he will be come February but admits Liverpool’s title challenge – they are second behind Chelsea – may play some part in his decision.

“The situation is not great. It is not something I want for my future, to have not many games,” he said. “I’m not close to retiring and have many years ahead of me.

“You want to play – we get paid to play – but I just try to be professional and help as much as I can and when I have the chance do my best.

“The best place for me to be now is Liverpool. I cannot say [where] in one week’s time, one month’s time or four months’ time. I have to judge when something comes up if it is better.” Southampton have so far used the EFL Cup to utilise the numbers in the squad, with fringe players such as defender Maya Yoshida and goalkeeper Alex Mccarthy getting the chance to show manager Claude Puel what they have to offer.

Puel admits the competition has become important for the team because they all believe they have a strong chance of winning a trophy this season.

He said: “The semi-final is important. It is an excellent challenge and we want to try and make the best of the opportunities. This competition is an opportunity for us to win something, we have more chance of winning this than the Premier League.

“We have used all the squad in the competition. It is an excellent challenge.”