Lucas: Liverpool is part of my life so success would be special
Lucas Leiva won't just be representing Liverpool Football Club should he run out in the Europa League final on Wednesday, but also the city he has come to class as home.
The Brazilian is the longest-serving player in the Reds squad that will battle Sevilla for European glory at St. Jakob-Park, a fact that is a source of great personal pride.
It is almost nine years since the then-20-year-old midfielder made the daunting switch from Gremio to take on the challenge of playing in England.
And, over that period, he has grown to love both the club and the people who it represents.
"It means a part of my life because it's almost a decade – a long time," Lucas told Liverpoolfc.com ahead of the big game in Basel.
"Everyone knows my kids were born here, so I have a lot of affection for the city and for the club.
"I'm so happy to play for Liverpool for such a long time and I feel we are getting close to something very important and something very good."
Lucas' affinity with Scousers has helped him build a special relationship with Liverpool supporters during his time on Merseyside.
The 29-year-old is one of few players who had already previously witnessed the power of Anfield on a famous European night, prior to the ones that have helped plot a course to Switzerland this season.
Despite the travel involved, he is hoping to see similar scenes on Wednesday when the travelling Kop makes Basel its base with a European trophy on the line.
He added: "They are always very supportive and I have had some great nights and some great games with the fans together.
"On two occasions this year, Dortmund and Villarreal, it was even more special and we see how powerful they are.
"I knew that, of course, but some of the players didn't know and I think it just showed that when we are together as a team and as a club, we are a very hard team to beat.
"They have played a massive part during our whole journey to the final and, for sure, they have to do the same in the final because that is what we need.
"I know it is not going to be at Anfield, but I think they should try to make the Basel stadium like Anfield because, when we feel that atmosphere, it drives us so much and hopefully we can make that together again."
As an experienced member of Jürgen Klopp's squad, Lucas might be expected to take on extra responsibility in guiding his younger teammates into the biggest game of many of their careers.
But he has seen enough evidence during the run to the final that his youthful colleagues know exactly how to handle such a big occasion already.
"I don't think it changes. You just have to be positive. We have a lot of young players but full of experience," he insisted.
"We've shown in other games as well, difficult situations – the likes of Dortmund and Villarreal – where we were not in the best situation during the game and we made it.
"Just be positive and keep together like we have done the whole season. I think it will be a good trophy to win for the squad because at the beginning of the season, people didn't believe as much – we could read a lot of things.
"It just shows how strong we are together. Hopefully we will be with a title at the end of the season."
During a gruelling campaign that has seen Liverpool's squad strength tested, a number of fringe and youth players have been given an opportunity to shine in earlier rounds of the Europa League.
As such, Lucas believes victory would be significant even to those who find themselves outside of the 18-man squad on the night of the final.
The midfielder said: "I think we played so many players in this competition from the beginning to the end.
"We had some injuries and people came in and did a job. It will be a squad title and of course everyone wants to be in the starting XI, but I think it will be a title for this group.
"We showed that we are a lot stronger together."
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