Lucas Leiva: 'Unique' Liverpool is my home
"My life, my city, my home, that's how I see it."
After 10 years in Liverpool, Lucas Leiva has no problem articulating exactly what the city means to him - even if he didn't see it coming.
Had anyone interrupted a shy, talented 20-year-old flying over to Merseyside for the first time in July 2007 to tell him things would pan out this way, he wouldn't have believed them.
But a decade on from the Brazilian leaving the comfort of his homeland to try and forge a career at Anfield, he has 345 appearances to his name and the distinction of being the club's longest-serving player.
As the 30-year-old explains in 'Lucas: 10 Years a Red', the new documentary which premieres on LFCTV at 8pm BST this evening, the journey he has undertaken is a source of immense pride.
He says: "If someone had said to me at that moment I would be 10 years at Liverpool and have two kids born in Liverpool, I would say they were crazy!
"I came to Liverpool always thinking to be successful and always to put my mark at the club. But 10 years is a long time, especially these days in football with players moving after only two years.
"So I'm really proud talking to you and looking back at every season and the moments.
"Of course, you always want more but I think my 10 years [at LFC]... I just have to be grateful and be proud of my journey and be thankful to all of the people who helped me."
Fittingly, the fates of Lucas and the city he has called home for 10 years are somewhat intertwined.
Prior to the flurry of investment that the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations prompted, Liverpool was a very different place.
But, during a decade that has seen the Dourados native grow as a player and a person, his personal transformation has been mirrored by his surroundings.
He adds: "I kind of saw the way Liverpool progressed, I would say.
"Of course, when I first came we didn't have Liverpool One, some of the buildings behind us were not there, the Echo Arena wasn't there, so I think it has been a period where Liverpool as a city has progressed a lot.
"I think it's more beautiful now. You have more options, so it's good. When I first came I didn't have much options, I would say, to go out or have food or drink the way I would like to.
"It just shows as well how much as a city Liverpool progressed the last 10 years."
Of course, it is not the buildings that make a city, but the people.
And anyone who has heard Lucas speak these days could probably guess that he has no qualms about being described as an adopted Scouser.
He explains: "I have no regrets if someone calls me Scouse because as I said before, Liverpool is a unique city, they have unique people and I feel really one of them.
"I have a lot of Scouse friends and it's a city you can see that has people who fight and never give up.
"Sometimes it's hard but that's what you should be and fight for what you believe in. That's how I see Liverpool people because they fight for things that they believe in."
It is that affinity with the people of Liverpool that means the club's supporters are the ones Lucas is ultimately most keen to please whenever he pulls on the shirt.
And when asked how he would like to be thought of by the fans, he replies: "I think they would see me as a loyal player.
"That's how I think they would see me. I always gave my all and always fought for the shirt, that's how I would like them to see me."
'Lucas: 10 Years a Red' will be aired for the first time on LFCTV at 8pm BST tonight.
For information on how to sign up to LFCTV GO and watch the documentary on demand after the premiere, click here.