Lucas Leiva played a crucial role in the early stages of Jurgen Klopp‘s tenure at Liverpool, but the long-serving Brazilian midfielder almost left the club for a move to China shortly after the German manager’s arrival.
By the time Klopp took charge in October 2015, Lucas had already spent eight years at Anfield, yet he still became a key figure under the new boss, making 65 appearances across Klopp’s first two seasons.
This period included 42 starts, nine of which saw Lucas don the captain’s armband, highlighting the trust Klopp placed in him. His experience and leadership proved valuable to a team transforming. However, as Lucas recently revealed in an interview with LiverpoolFC.com, his stay at Liverpool could have ended much sooner.
Just months after Klopp’s appointment, in January 2016, Lucas received a lucrative offer to move to China. The timing was right, considering his uncertain future at Liverpool. He recalled, “It was just before we played Man United, and I approached Jurgen to discuss the offer. I said, ‘Look, it’s a lot of money, and I don’t know how much game time I’ll get here. What’s your take on it?’”
Klopp’s response was direct and honest. “He told me, ‘Lucas, I understand, but I can’t let you go. I’ve only been here four months, and I need you. You’re going to play a big role,’” Lucas explained. Klopp didn’t promise him regular starts but emphasized his importance to the squad. “That’s something I really appreciated about Jurgen,” Lucas added. “He was always truthful.”
Though Klopp was gradually shaping Liverpool into a dynamic, high-pressing side, which Lucas admitted didn’t fully align with his style of play, the midfielder stayed due to the mutual respect between the two. “I could see he was building a new team with new players and a different style. I understood that my playing style might not fit perfectly with what he envisioned,” Lucas said. “But we were both honest with each other, and that made the difference.”
Lucas continued to feature sporadically in the seasons that followed, but his commitment to the club remained strong. Another opportunity to leave arose in January 2017, with interest from clubs like Inter Milan and Atletico Mineiro. Once again, Klopp asked him to stay, stating that he still needed him. “It was another great opportunity, but Jurgen said, ‘I still need you for now,’” Lucas recalled. “He reassured me that if a good offer came in the next year, he would help me move on.”
True to his word, Klopp supported Lucas when Lazio expressed interest in the summer of 2017. “During pre-season, I got an offer from Lazio, and it felt like the right moment to move on,” Lucas said. The timing was significant as the team was preparing to fly to Hong Kong for a tour. Klopp told Lucas to remain in England to finalize the deal. “He said, ‘Stay back, get everything sorted, don’t worry about the trip.’”
Their farewell was emotional, reflecting the respect that had grown between them over the years. “I cried, and he did too, a little bit,” Lucas admitted, remembering the bond they had formed during their time together.
After spending a decade at Liverpool, Lucas moved to Lazio, where he would go on to enjoy a successful stint in Serie A. His time at Anfield ended on a high note, not with trophies but with the enduring respect and appreciation of a manager who saw his value both on and off the pitch.
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