Life without Lucas: Aurelio or Agger can do the job

(per-match training photos courtesy of Liverpool.com)
I once suggested to an Arsenal fan that as bad as Denilson was, Liverpool supporters will be happy to exchange him with Lucas plus cash to Arsenal.


That was 3 years ago. Since then, Lucas has been slowly, but steadily making me eat my words. Last week, I went into a panic when I read that Lucas will be out for the season. That's how much this player has grown before our eyes. From an ugly duckling of midfield football to the beautiful swan of the defensive midfield position.

What should Kenny do? He has quite a dilemma on his hands. Take a look at his possible options and you will understand why -


Charlie Adam - too slow, loses the ball too easily and too often. Yes, Lucas is pace-less too, but he tackles excellently and commits 'smart' professional fouls when he's beaten. Charlie is a little too committed on the tackles


Jonjo Shelvey - quickly recalled from his Blackpool loan, he's really an attacking midfielder and very inexperienced. 


Jay Spearing - Probably the more likely replacement for Lucas. Good feet, good ball winner. He's a little bit on the small side (not that Lucas is big either), and is yet to get more games under his belt. Without the confidence of games, he may be too green to fill in Lucas big boots


Steven Gerrard - If he's fit and comes back, it will be a waste of his talent to put him in a holding position.


Jordan Henderson - too risky. Kenny is very protective of him and wouldn't want to expose him in that position

However, all's not lost. I have two (weird) suggestions for Kenny -

1. Fabio Aurielo - I believe the Brazilian is fit again, and is a great ball handler/winner. A few years ago, under Benitez, Fabio was deployed in the midfield position when Masherano was injured or suspended. It allowed him more room to showcase his versatility while Emilio Insua covered the left back position. With Jose Enrique firmly in the left back spot, it's Fabio's destiny to once again rise and shine like he always did (when not injured).
2. Daniel Agger - call me crazy, but this central defender has better ball skills than the average midfielder. Extremely composed and commanding, he likes to go forward and help attack when he gets impatient. Unlike Chelsea's erratic defender, David Luis, Agger's forays into attack are poised and calculated. With Agger in the defensive midfield position, Carra can partner Skrtel in the central defense

Kenny Dalglish will have the last word tomorrow. I expect a change in tactics and formation similar to what he did at Chelsea in January when Raul Merieles got the only goal. He played a 5-3-2 formation with wing backs, three central defenders and a flat three midfield.

Should be interesting to see what he does tomorrow. 

Go Reds!!!