Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has called for Lucas Leiva to be given his chance in the side.
The Brazilian midfielder lost his place in the team last season after Steven Gerrard was converted to a holding midfield role, and the 27-year-old has become a fringe player at Anfield since.
However, after watching the Reds slip to a third straight defeat in a week in their 2-1 reverse to Chelsea on Saturday, Lawrenson wants to see Lucas return to the team.
He told the Liverpool Echo: ‘Lucas is generally a 7/10 player but rarely lets you down and knows his job. And if you are a team struggling for form, if you get enough 7/10 performances then you have a chance of going from bad to good.
‘Management is about keeping an open mind with players and Lucas deserves his chance. After all, if a player comes in and does well, that’s what you want isn’t it?’
