I Knew Liverpool Would Be Successful – Lucas

Lucas Leiva says he could “feel” success coming at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, but he still took the decision to leave for Lazio in the summer of 2017.

The hard-working Brazilian midfielder spent 10 years at Anfield, with his commitment to the cause after enduring a tricky start to a spell in England earning him cult hero status.

He walked away with 346 appearances for the Reds to his name, but just one winners’ medal, which came in the 2012 League Cup, when he did not even figure in Kenny Dalglish’s final squad due to injury.

Lucas did help Liverpool to Champions League and Europa League finals after that, but tangible success proved elusive.

That has not been the case in recent times for the Merseyside giants, with Klopp overseeing Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League title wins.

Lucas could be forgiven for regretting his decision to head for Italy just as the tide was turning, but the 33-year-old is delighted for those he left behind as they were always destined for bigger and better things.

He told LFCTV:

“When I left the club I was 100 per cent sure a great moment was coming. You could feel [it].

“I could feel that things were changing. I was sure it would come but you never know when, because you’re playing against so many good teams. It’s not easy to predict.

“But I could feel that Liverpool were going to come back, winning important things. Of course, the Premier League was always the first target, let’s say, every season. I could feel that, yes.”