Lucas on Ronaldinho, tennis and dancing

For every Anfield clash, series of questions were put to each player to discover more about their careers and lives away from the pitch.

Over the next few weeks, Liverpoolfc.com will be reproducing those interviews for you to enjoy - and we continue the 'In My Life' series today with Lucas Leiva, who explains why no-one should expect to see him doing the samba as his goal celebration next season...

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First boots...

The brand was Mathaus. They were black and white and I thought they were very heavy. But, of course, as a kid you are always happy to receive a pair of boots.

First team...

It would have been a futsal team called Estrela do Sul and I would have been five.

First position...

I used to play up front when I was younger but once we played on grass we played with two midfielders and two between the strikers. I was in the middle of the two.

Favourite goal...

My favourite was probably for Brazil U18s in a game away to Chile. I dribbled towards the 'keeper and then put the ball to one side and ran to the other side and scored so it was a nice goal. For Liverpool, I would say the long-range goal against Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League at Anfield in September 2010.

Shirt number...

My favourite shirt number is eight but I don't think I will have a chance to get that one at Liverpool! Maybe 88! But 21 is a good number for me here and I wouldn't change for any other now. Maybe when I go back to Brazil, I might come back to using my previous number, but 21 means a lot for me here, more than the number eight.

Favourite other stadium...

Apart from Anfield, I would say the Emirates. Everything is new. The pitch is really nice, the dressing rooms are top class and overall the stadium is just a very good one.

Stadium you'd like to play in...

The Camp Nou. I have been there to visit but not to play, so I would like to have a chance to play there.

Shirt swaps...

I normally change with friends and Brazilian players. I have a Ronaldinho shirt. When we used to meet with the national team, he offered me one of his shirts after he went to Milan and I think I've got one from his time at Barcelona. I would say a Ronaldinho shirt is my favourite.

Footballing heroes...

When I was younger, I would have said Ronaldo and Romario, but now I would add Ronaldinho to that list.

Favourite other sport...

Tennis. I really like to play but unfortunately with my injuries I have not been able to so often. Hopefully in a few years' time I will be able to play more.

Other sporting idol...

Ayrton Senna. He was an inspiration for all the Brazilian people. About a year ago I saw the documentary about his life and it was just unbelievable. Sometimes he wouldn't have the best car but he was still able to win the race. He was really a big hero for Brazil and it was tragic that he died so young in that terrible accident.

Favourite subject at school...

Maths. I enjoyed that.

Last film you saw...

I've forgotten the name! I remember one I watched with my wife quite recently called What to Expect When You're Expecting with Cameron Diaz. It was quite funny. I also saw The Expendables recently.

Last track downloaded...

Let It Roll by Flo Rida.

Can you cook...

I can cook but I wouldn't advise anyone to eat it! I would be able to put something together but I don't enjoy cooking. It is not something I am really interested in. I like to eat but not to cook!

Can you samba...

No I can't. I am very bad at dancing!

Last book you read...

It was the biography of the Apple founder Steve Jobs, He was a genius. I found out a few things about him which were sometimes a little bit heavy. He had his own way to live. For instance he said that in his own house he didn't like to have any furniture as he found it to be too cluttered. He has changed the world and he was different - that's why I think he was a genius.

Funniest teammate...

Flanno. He always makes me laugh.

Most intelligent teammate...

I think Daniel Agger. He is a very quiet person but when we are in the hotel and spend some time talking together, it is clear he is a really clever man.

Who would you most/least like to be stuck in a lift with...

The worst would be Carra because he would probably be screaming at someone! And if we were away from Liverpool people might not understand his Scouse accent anyway! The best would probably be Seba Coates because he is always calm and relaxed so I think he would be quite chilled about the situation.

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