Lucas: Brazil call will benefit Reds
Lucas Leiva has explained how his recent recall to the Brazil squad can be a positive for Liverpool as well as a major boost to his hopes of playing at the World Cup on home soil next year.
The midfielder was called into the national squad by Luiz Felipe Scolari for the first time since November 2011, when he was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.
Lucas admits he's delighted to be back in the fold after a long absence - and he's determined to build on his record of 20 caps when Brazil face South Korea in tomorrow's friendly.
However, the 26-year-old believes his form for the Reds will also improve once he gets the chance to represent his country again.
"I'm really over the moon to be honest," Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com.
"The feeling is the one that I felt in 2006 when I was called for the first time into the Brazil squad. I was 19 and the feeling was exactly the same.
"I've been fighting to get back and to have another chance to play for my country after a difficult period when I had two bad injuries, which prevented me from fighting for my place.
"The call came at the right time - so close to the World Cup - but it's the chance that I was expecting and it will just give me more confidence to keep playing well and doing well for the club.
"I think it will help Liverpool, myself, and if I do well with the national team, it will help my chance to play in the World Cup. That's what I'm prepared to do."
Brazil will host the tournament for the first time since 1950, when Uruguay beat the host nation 2-1 in the final in front of 173,000 people at the Maracana.
In July 2014, the new world champions will be crowned in the same stadium - and Lucas is desperate to be a part of proceedings.
"To play for Brazil means everything because I know how many players Brazil have and how difficult it is to be involved in the squad," admitted the midfielder.
"I had a chance to play for them before and if you have a bad injury, it's more difficult to get a chance.
"I'm so proud and really looking forward to taking the chance that Scolari is giving me and hopefully I'll do well and keep my dream alive.
"Playing in the World Cup with my country, with my friends and family around, would be amazing."