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LIVERPOOL FC: BOSS: TOP CLUBS WOULD LOVE LUCAS

Rafa Benitez has revealed how a host of top European sides are chasing Lucas Leiva – but that the Brazilian ace is going nowhere.

/noticias.info/ The Liverpool boss, who has started the 21-year-old in five consecutive games, claims he has no intention of selling a player he believes shares a similar mentality to Steven Gerrard.

The revelation that Lucas is wanted by sides in Spain and Italy comes as no surprise, with a string of teams reputedly interested before the Reds pounced last summer.

Benitez said: "We've had offers for Lucas but we said 'no' because we want to keep him.

"Clubs have asked about him. Clubs in Italy and Spain – maybe 10 in La Liga. Good clubs in Spain and clubs in Italy who will pay more money."

Benitez believes one of the player's major assets is a mental strength.

He said: "Lucas was the captain of Gremio and Brazil's under-20 team. He has two caps with the senior national team.

"He's a player with a very good mentality and quality. He's very professional, focused, and a fantastic player.

"I don't have any problem with him. If you need to take a penalty, Gerrard will be there and Lucas can be there – he has a very good mentality."

Benitez added: "He likes football. His uncle (Leivinha) was a former player at Atletico Madrid. He's very focused and is a good professional.

"When he first arrived here and needed to improve his English he was not playing.

"I talked to him and he said, 'Hey I'm okay, I'm improving'. He is learning and when I bought him I thought he'd be able to play in the big games like Inter in his first season." notas_de_prensa_archivo