Brendan: Lucas is the perfect example
Lucas Leiva has been highlighted as the 'prime example' for how endeavour and commitment in training at Melwood can secure players a regular starting place under Brendan Rodgers.
The Brazilian's appearances were restricted at the outset of the current campaign, making only four starts for Liverpool before November - when the situation changed for the No.21.
Rodgers called on Lucas' intelligent pressing, diligent work-rate and passing ability from the centre of the park for the tricky Champions League task away at Ludogorets Razgrad.
In the 15 matches that the Reds have contested since that tie kicked off in Bulgaria, only one has ended in defeat - a harsh 3-0 scoreline at Manchester United midway through December.
Lucas has been named in the XI for all but one of those games, coincidentally the reversal at Old Trafford, and provided an assuring and experienced presence in a young side.
With the manager ready to shuffle his options for the FA Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers tomorrow, he pointed to the 28-year-old as a case for continued efforts.
"I have shown in my time here that I am the type of coach that will view you in training," Rodgers said at Melwood as he previewed the game with gathered media.
"Lots of players here that weren't playing when I came in, or in my time here, by showing the level in training and the commitment and focus, have played their way into the team.
"Lucas is a prime example of that - someone who was out of the team, probably more last year because of the set-up, the nature of our set-up, with Steven [Gerrard] in the co-ordinating role from behind, organising the game.
"I'm not one that likes to play with two holding players - I prefer one player. I think sometimes if you play with two players in holding midfield they can get in the way of each other.
"I like to have one that can co-ordinate a game; we've played a diamond with one, we've played 4-3-3 with one. That was Steven. Steven was to screen in front but become the playmaker for the team.
"Now we've flipped it a little bit. We play with two in there, with one of them being defensive and he [Lucas] has done that role very well.
"It's about players understanding that they're going to play but sometimes they're going to be out of the team. They have to respect that's the manager's decision and the ethos of the team."