Liverpool to use injured Lucas Leiva in scouting role

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers intends to use Lucas Leiva in a scouting role while the midfielder recovers from injury.

The Seleção international faces up-to three months on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury two weeks ago.

Lucas was forced off after just four minutes of play during the Reds' 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City, not long after the midfielder had returned from eight months out with ligament damage.

Brendan Rodgers, who took over at Anfield following the departure of Kenny Dalglish, wants to keep the 25-year-old’s spirits up following yet another setback, by helping him to make the most of his time out of action.

Rodgers said: "Lucas is at home for a bit and he has good days and bad days.

"We will keep his spirits up and I’m going use him to go out and look at some games for me with my analyst. Tactically, he’s very good. I want to make sure that he stays in the game.

"Sometimes when you stand back and look at it from a different position you pick up different things. I put that idea to him and he thought it was good."

Lucas, who was named Liverpool's player of the season for the 2010-11 campaign, has made just over 120 appearances for the club since his £5 million move from Grêmio in 2007.