Injured Lucas vows to come back stronger

LIVERPOOL midfielder Lucas Leiva has vowed to return stronger from a knee injury which has ended his season.

The Brazil international damaged the anterior crucial ligament in his left knee during Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

Lucas was carried from the field on a stretcher after a clash with Juan Mata and his — and the club’s — worst fears were confirmed by a scan.

The 24-year-old was inundated with messages of goodwill on Twitter and he responded in kind.

“Just to confirm that I will be out until the rest of season,” he wrote.

“I am really sad with the news because I was enjoying [it] a lot on the pitch.

“I am sure I will come back stronger and I will achieve everything that I dream with the LFC shirt.

“I am sure I’ll never walk alone.”

The midfielder’s absence is a huge blow for Liverpool as he had been on of their best performers not only this season but the previous campaign as well.

In the last fortnight, in particular, the Brazilian has shown his worth with impressive displays against Chelsea in both the Premier League and Carling Cup victories and also in the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City.

He has forged a successful central midfield partnership with summer signing Charlie Adam, undertaking the defensive anchor role to allow the Scotland international to play a more expansive game.

Lucas was Liverpool’s player of the year last season, having been named the best young player the previous campaign, and the hole he leaves in the side is considerable.

Liverpool obviously feared the worst and after an initial assessment on Wednesday they recalled midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at npower Championship side Blackpool.

The news about Lucas was confirmed in a short statement by the club.

“Liverpool FC said a scan had confirmed an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in Lucas Leiva’s left knee,” it read. “The Brazil international will undergo surgery and unfortunately be ruled out for the remainder of the current campaign.”