Lucas Concerns Grow as Liverpool Recall Jonjo Shelvey

By: Noel | November 30th, 2011

To get the biggest issue out of the way off the top, there’s no actual news yet on the injury Lucas picked up against Chelsea in the League Cup on Tuesday. There are, however, rumours. And, as is the way with rumours of this sort, they’re mostly terrible no good very bad ones we’d really rather not give much credence to. Unfortunately, though, given recent developments, it’s nearly impossible to simply dismiss as baseless speculation said terrible no good very bad rumours…

* The rumour? Lucas Leiva is set to miss six to nine months, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season—and that’s if his recovery goes well. The reasons not to dismiss it as nothing but panicked, doom and gloom speculation? Mainly that the club has just recalled Jonjo Shelvey from Blackpool. A release on the Blackpool’s official site said the following:

The Seasiders were dealt an unfortunate blow ahead of the busy December programme with the news that Liverpool have recalled in-form midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell with the club.

The 19-year-old had settled well into life at Bloomfield Road netting six goals in nine appearances and talks were at an advanced stage between the two clubs to extend the player’s loan beyond the end of December. However, a knee injury to Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas has meant that the Reds have activated the recall clause and Shelvey returns to Anfield with immediate effect.

Shelvey seems unlikely to be returning to fill Lucas’ role, with Jay Spearing most likely to step up in the short term, but with Steven Gerrard already expected out until January at the earliest this signals a sudden need for warm bodies in what in the summer seemed a rather overpacked Liverpool midfield. Considering that if Lucas was only likely to miss a match or two there would be no real need to disrupt the status quo—or to disrupt Jonjo Shelvey’s continuing development given the starting, starring role he’s played for Blackpool this season—this emergency recall is hard to see as a move that would be made unless Liverpool had indeed lost another midfielder.

* After putting in a second mostly assured and promising performance in the League Cup on Tuesday—albeit one with a few growing pains/useful learning experience moments that luckily didn’t effect the outcome of the match—Sebastian Coates has talked about settling in at Liverpool. In particular there’s the presence of countryman Luis Suarez, whose initial role in speaking to Coates about his positive experience at the club before the completion of last summer’s transfer is widely known. But also helping to ease the transition are Maxi Rodriguez and Lucas Leiva, and with Suarez at times having also spoken of Maxi’s role in helping him to adjust to life in England, the Argentinean midfielder seems to be doing more for the club than just scoring goals nearly every time he’s on the pitch.

I’m settling in very well. I’m getting used to the city, getting used to the people and getting used to English football. I’ve had the help of Lucas and Luis and Maxi. That helps me very much.

It is difficult but when I started my career as a footballer I was aware there was a possibility I’d have to move to play football in a different country. You have to adapt and make the best of a situation like this.

For myself and my family, the most difficult thing is the language. We’re trying to learn English as quickly as possible so we can improve our quality of life in this country. The other thing is the weather—but I came here to play football, not for the weather.

We can only hope that Maxi has a spare snood lying around to help Coates get through the Christmas season and its corresponding fixture congestion, the sort of pile up of matches that could well see him with his first chance to play in Stoke-like conditions.

* Finally, a bit of fun to help pass the time while we all try not to revert to doom and gloom pronouncements concerning the futility of a top four effort made without Liverpool’s likely least replaceable player, as former regular Liverpool Offside commenter and current Paisley Gates co-blogger Nathan (aka. Grubb) pulls out the big guns for an interactive, multimedia, [insert Web 7.1.0.4b buzzword here] edition of his the Comolli Files transfer rumour comic. In any case, that sentence was really getting out of hand there and needed to come to an end. But back on point, if you ever wanted your updates on whether David Villa’s likely to revitalise the sangria-related footballer chants industry in Northern England or if Emmanuel Adebayor is set to add another Premier League club’s training kit to his ace collection in comic form, then you won’t be disappointed. And probably if you never considered whether it was something you wanted you’ll enjoy it, too.

We’ll let you know if any further news develops as the day moves along, but in the meantime, try not to hurt your liver too badly—he’s pretty much blameless in this whole terrible no good very bad situation…

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

« Liverpool 2, Chelsea 0: Victory at a Cost | Home | Video: Sebastian Coates v. Chelsea »

VicCapeTown

While watching Tuesdays game at the pub, I was telling all who would listen that we woudl only realise how good a player Lucas is, when is isnt playing. Should have kept quiet. A thought, with Stevie G out till January shouldn't Kenny not have played Lucas in the League Cup games considering the vital cog that he is? I fear for our top four challenge now.
Amtosh

I was thinking that as well, but if he was right to play there's no sense in keeping him out for fear of injury. It's a freak accident which could have happened next game. Not due to fatigue which would've been negligent on Kenny's and the medical team's part.
Latortillablanca

once u get to the top 5 of any position (top 2 for messi/ronaldo) it kind of becomes a 'whats ur favorite flavor of ice cream discussion', but all hyperbole aside, i think its hard to argue against lucas being a top 5 CDM in the world. for me only M.A.S.C.H. and Biscuits bring more to the table from that position.

So, if his knee indeed has gone fishing, ya this blows. I dont know that losing Luis Suarez for the year would necessarily be more damaging than losing Lucas. He's that important to the way we set up our side. Can we get to january without him? of course. next man up. but if we're gonna sustain a season long assault on 3rd or 4th place, damien's gonna need to work some magic in january.
Amtosh

Someone needs to steal some stem cells and pay a visit to Lucas' bedside with a large needle quick smart.

As Shankly would say, it's not his knee, it's Liverpool's knee.
Latortillablanca

i thot they cud do this in a couple places across europe already? grow him a new set of ligaments!!!!
Russell

This is totally unfair; I was under the impression that Lucas was bionic and didn't get injured.
Damu

One moment I was gloating about how the Scum got dumped out and the next moment I am on the verge of tears. Serves me right for checking Livescore ahead of the Offside... Get well Lucas. Please, please, please.... :(
CharlieAdamsBuckteeth

thoughts on a possible formation change, anybody?
Ed

Read a lot of Henderson-Adam or three-man mid of Henderson-Spearing-Adam. General consensus seemed to be that Spearing and Adam alone wouldn't be enough, but who knows.

Anyway, Lucas will be better by Monday, so no worries.
ChrisLFC

I'm still counting on the fact that there's been no "official" word means there's still hope. I try to be optimistic...because the alternative makes me want to cry and have another beer.....well...
Suarez from the car park...

bugger. Without Lucas there, how are we going to hold that midfield, particularly against the likes of Man City, who lets face it are capable of running rings around sides without Lucas in it.
Spearing is going to have to play the football of his life to make this work, and Hendo is going to have to grow up pretty sharpish too. Adam might be looking better in the shape but it's Lucas who keeps the whole show going.

December was going to be a monster run for us, but I'm a bit nervous now. The performance can get very disjointed if you're not controlling that midfield.

this is going to need all of Kenny and Steve Clarke's nous to navigate around this one.

Think I might punch myself.
Latortillablanca

thankfully we've got a fair bit of schedule fodder coming up, which we should be able to get through considering the overall team form, but this definitely increases the likelihood of a january transfer dip at CDM... M'Vila? Sissoko?
Red2death

So, it's Liverpool v Man City in the Carling Cup semis. Not surprising. We always knew the winner of Utd/Palace was set to face Cardiff.

Would rather play City in one final rather than a 2-legged semi though. But in any case, given our lack of European competition this year, I think the fixture pile-up will bother them more than us.
Purify_the_body

According to the BBC the second leg is on Jan 23rd, and we have a game away to Bolton on Jan 21st...are they doing this on purpose to piss Kenny off??
Purify_the_body

They amended it to "in the week beginning 23 January", so seems ok.
Waiting for Sterling

Now we need another player (no more depth - as if we had any since the summer) on top of a goalscorer. This is a huge loss to the King's rejuvenation, Lucas is the focal point in the start of this. Maybe Maxi will start to get more time. Orrrrrr maybe we keep going Kenny's way like we did with Adam and get Carroll to start whacking them in. Either way, I think Kenny does have some sense of modern football. He may of had doubters, but now I can see that Adam is a real asset to our starting XI. Maybe Carroll's frustration will give him the push he needs to get back into form.

Whatever's going on, I just really hope Lucas gets better. He just seems like such a stand-up guy. All the attention he's getting now - well deserved - and how he keeps calm and collective is exactly what we need at this club. Works his ass off and is a true professional.

My best wishes buddy.
Ryan

Kenny does have a good idea about modern football, you're right. Just look at the games against Chelsea. He beat the most modern manager in the game "tactically".
jpr

Kenny's gotten the measure of AVB twice and Mancini without having our most important player available, Stevie G. Now our 2nd most important player, Lucas, is out. And we're dealing with the possibility of Luis missing a few games. At Everton many guys thought Carroll should be subbed and he gets the winning goal at 71 minutes. At Arsenal he brings on Suarez and Meireles to win the game. We all had doubts about Charlie and he's seems to be coming on and doing pretty well. Look how well he's handled the Luis situation. Look what he did last January. The entire team is committed and playing really well now. Look how well he's handled the Carragher/Skrtel situation. No one should really question him too much at this point. Although, most of us here are pretty reasonable. But, we also have our own ideas about personnel and it's always interesting to hear different viewpoints.
Grubb

Hey thanks for the shout out for the comic! Much appreciated, brothers.

On a more serious note, I've been saying since the off-season the only players we can't afford to lose are Pepe Reina and Lucas. So expect Pepe's leg to fall off in our next leage match.

I can't see how we can cover Lucas' position. Spearing and Adam will likely "make do" until January, but proper, top-class cover is needed for Lucas at some point. None of our other players are naturally holders - even "wee Jay" is more of a presser/tackler than a proper screening player in front of the defense.

In the words of your Twitter account, ready the liquor!
Purify_the_body

Spearing's a good player, but asking him to play like Lucas did against City three times in January is a bit much...
jpr

We can rest him for the second cup tie after we win the first 3 - 0. Nobody scores on Sk-Agger. Key is to not have Kuyt mark Lescott on corners. Carroll bangs in two and Stewie gets off the snide. Yea.
jpr

Kompany neither. He marks the post.
Luis Suarez dentist

Lets hope that this is just coincidence. I would be amazed if Shelvey ever makes the grade at Anfield.

Still keeping fingers crossed for Lucas
AdamSonOfIstanbul

Surprised if Shelvey made the grade? Reminds me of what others, myself and others thought about Lucas was brought into the side when he was 19 the same age as a certain Brazilian
Ed

"Liverpool have recalled Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at Blackpool following a knee injury to Lucas at Chelsea."

I suppose it depends on your definition of "coincidence."
Ed

Where is Sue when we need her most?
kenny

Or him... his/her/it's name was once/is Paul
jpr

After watching the City match, there is no doubt that Lucas is the best holding/defensive midfielder in the EPL. Offensively gifted too. Irreplaceable really. And he was getting better with every match. Bad timing for him and for us. If the injury is as bad as initially reported, we just have to wish him the best for a full and speedy recovery. Kenny will figure it all out as best as anyone can in the circumstances. His best option may be the same as my best option; just mix the scotch and beer together and it all doesn't matter so much.
Purify_the_body

Yet another Lucas comp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Purify_the_body

And Coates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
mardia

I am trying so hard to remain confident and calm, but between the news about Shelvey's recall and Suarez's tweet, it'll be hard for me not to reach for the bottle. Just...out or everybody, it was Lucas? I don't know what Liverpool did to offend the injury gods, but between this and Gerrard's injuries, clearly there needs to be a mass exorcism/ritual animal sacrifice at Anfield. Just pump the sprinklers full of holy water, you guys, it could hardly make things worse.
airamanna

Are you kidding? With our luck, we'd find out we have a team of vampires and the holy water will burn them all to a crisp! Much better to do a virgin sacrifice. Maybe that's why Jonjo's coming back?
Ryan

Jonjo lost his virginity on twitter with that camera phone.
Purify_the_body

Actually, on the Spanish language broadcasts in North America, the play-by-play guy always calls Skrtel "El Dracula"...or is it "El Vampiro", I forget...
redtrev73

I obviously haven't been making myself clear, Noel. My liver is ALREADY fucked so there's no point in protecting the fucker now...and as the recall of Jonjo and the credible(ish) twitter info seem to point to our Samba Star being AWOL at length,...well, I'm just gonna go ahead and accelerate the process with some scotchy, scotch, scotch....down into my belly....
Red2death

Possible replacements? Jay Spearing, Dan Agger (shift him up from defence), Stevie G (when fit, would do Lucas' job and more, but at the cost of his attacking side).

Lucas out for the season. Balls.
Latortillablanca

yes, no, and not even an option for anything.
justin

We're certainly going to be tested for depth in that department, not that we have anyone close to replicating anything that Lucas has done this season, or last season, or the season before last season.

I'm pretty sure Kenny will pull something out of the hat to get the best of what's left though. He's proven wily enough that plenty have had to take their humble pie for classifying him as a dinosaur.

Somehow, somewhere, I'm still having my finger crossed that Lucas has a terrible sense of humor regarding his injury...
Purify_the_body

Sad. All we can do is hope for a full recovery by Lucas, and that in the end the entire team will be strengthened by whatever experience other players gain or new players are signed as a result of his absence. The worst things really do happen to the best people!

Btw, for those who couldn't see what seems to be Lucas' last game for us in 2011, matchhighlight.com has links to the full match videos:http://bit.ly/u2acsdHopefully posting this here won't get them taken down...enjoy
Purify_the_body

stoopid disqus

http://bit.ly/u2acsd
ejbauer11

Thanks for the update. Been hitting refresh on every possible site that might bring an update on Lucas. The none-too-suppressed f-bomb that escaped in the wake of reading about shelvey's return did not go over well in the office next door. Your admonitions notwithstanding, liver is going to be beaten soundly this evening.
poorscouserbobby

*bursts into tears*