"Was brilliant" - Kenny Dalglish heaps praise on former Red who signed back in 2007

Former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has recently praised ex-Red Lucas Leiva.

The club signed the midfielder from Gremio for a transfer fee of €10 million back in the summer of 2007.

Lucas went on to make 346 appearances for Liverpool's first-team. The 35-year-old departed Anfield and joined Lazio for a transfer fee of €5.70 million back in July 2017.

Dalglish was recently asked to name the best player he ever managed. The 70-year-old put Lucas' name into the conversation.

Dalglish told the SK KENNY Podcast the following (07:05): “It depends how you define best, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best player, people make huge contributions in many ways that the punter doesn’t get to see.

“You see what they can do on the pitch, Steven [Gerrard], Luis [Suarez], Alan Shearer you mention the names and that’s the names that come to your mind because they were brilliant and their ability to play football was fantastic and their honesty and integrity in the games they played in were great as well and the contribution they gave to the team but you look at Lucas Leiva.

“By the way, Lucas was brilliant and you look what goes on in the dressing room and you need a really good dressing room to be led by really strong people in there and they’re not always the best players."

Anfield Watch Verdict

We can 100 percent understand where Dalglish is coming from. Yes, Lucas was not the most technically gifted footballer the 70-year-old ever managed.

But, there is no denying that the Brazilian was a good role model at Liverpool. Footage of Lucas highlights that he always put in a great shift when he was on the pitch. He never gave up.

The midfielder did chip in with the odd goal and assist during his time at Anfield. Lucas scored seven goals and registered 21 assists for Liverpool.

The midfielder won one major trophy during his time at the club (2012 League Cup).