Lucas: Mentality the reason for my form
Lucas Leiva has revealed how a mental determination to enjoy his minutes out on the pitch has enabled him to produce what he regards as his best form since 2011.
The Brazilian has been imperious at the base of Liverpool's midfield after regaining a regular starting berth back in November.
Since being handed a place in the first XI against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on November 4, Lucas has made a total of 17 appearances, in which the Reds have lost just one game - Tuesday night's 1-0 extra-time reversal at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea.
Prior to that Champions League occasion in Spain, the midfielder had tallied just six run-outs in 2014-15 - and last week, Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to the manner in which he has turned his campaign around, labelling him the 'prime example' for all players looking to force their way into the reckoning.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood, Lucas explained how he believes a positive mentality has been the key catalyst in his outstanding performances - a run he believes is his finest since a knee injury curtailed his season in November 2011.
He said: "After that injury, it's probably my best moment. As I've said before in a few interviews I've given, I feel myself again and I feel really sharp, really strong and go into games thinking I have got nothing to lose.
"I just enjoy them because in football you never know what is going to happen. We always know that after a bad or difficult moment always comes a good moment and vice versa.
"I just have to enjoy my football and really concentrate on keeping at the level of performance I'm playing at the moment. I think if I do that, I can be in the team and help.
"That's what I probably wasn't able to do at the beginning of the season, so I like to feel that I am helping - and that's how I feel now."
By his own admission, Lucas has endured both highs and lows since moving to Anfield from Gremio in the summer of 2007.
He believes such experiences have helped mould him into a more mentally resolute footballer.
"It probably is [due to experience]," said Lucas. "You get older and you have more experience, but my career here has been like that and you just learn.
"I just have to think in every game I play that if I haven't proved myself over the last eight years to some people, then I'm not going to do it now. It's not a question of proving anything, it's about enjoying the experience and that's probably helping me at the moment.
"I feel really comfortable and I know my value - that is important as well - and I know what I can offer."
Such has been his impact on Liverpool's fine sequence of results since December, several of Lucas' teammates have been eager to highlight his influence in the midfield engine room.
He reflected: "It's always important to feel like an important member of the squad. When you are playing and you are getting results, it is even more important.
"It's always nice to have the confidence of your teammates. I try to help and always look out for the team, and that is how I have been my whole career."
Lucas was again imposing at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, though he was unable to prevent Liverpool exiting the League Cup after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Chelsea at the last-four stage.
Still, but for missed chances, it may well have been the Reds - and not the Blues - preparing to visit Wembley on March 1 to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the competition's final.
But there are reasons to be positive, insists Lucas, as Liverpool aim to achieve success in two further competitions as well as securing a place in the Barclays Premier League's top four.
He said: "We are all disappointed because I think over the two legs, we had chances to win both of the games.
"In the end, we couldn't make it to the final, which is something we were looking for, and it was frustrating - but the performance level was very positive and hopefully we will carry on like that.
"If we can keep that same level, I think we will have more chances to play in other finals, with the FA Cup and Europa League to challenge for, as well as the Premier League to get points in and improve our position in the table.
"The semi-final just showed what we are capable of doing. We have to improve, especially in taking the chances we create - we probably had eight or nine chances over the two games and you have to score more goals.
"But if you are creating, it means you are playing well and we are not conceding many goals either, so it is very positive.
"Hopefully we will move on from the defeat and keep going because it is still a long season and we still have a lot to fight for."
In the aftermath of Liverpool's defeat by Chelsea, Rodgers was eager to outline his belief that while disappointed, his young squad will ultimately benefit from the experience in the long term.
Those sentiments are firmly shared by Lucas. "Especially for the young players, it will help them grow and improve mentally," said the No.21.
"Before you win, you normally lose and we just have to take the positives from the games and from our performances - not just from against Chelsea, but from the last few weeks. We have improved our performance level a lot and, as I said, it's a long season and we still have a lot to play for, especially in the cups.
"We can have a right go at the FA Cup and Europa League and try to win them, and in the Premier League we can improve our position and aim for the top four. The priority in the Premier League now is getting points and we'll see what happens."