Football Club Buzz

Lucas Leiva believes Liverpool are in for another good month if they can replicate their excellent August form in September.

So far this season, the Reds collected seven points from their opening three Barclays Premier League matches and also progressed into the third round of the Carling Cup while playing some eye-catching attacking football.

Stoke City provide Kenny Dalglish’s side with their next test on Saturday afternoon, followed by a trip to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur the following weekend.

Although Lucas knows both games will present their own difficulties, he’s eager for Liverpool to pick up where they left off prior to the international break.

“We know we have two away games now and it’s really important to get points in the away games,” he told Liverpoolfc.tv. “It always makes a big difference at the end of the season.

“We have to keep going and try to play well – the same way we have in the first three games. If we do, I am sure we will get points and we’ll have another good month.

“We know how difficult it is to play against Stoke, especially on their own ground. They have a physical game and big players, and their set pieces are always really difficult to defend. We have to go there ready to fight, try to play football and win.

“A lot of big clubs go there and can’t win, but it will be a very good test for us to see how we cope with this type of team.”

Much like Liverpool, Stoke bolstered their ranks over the course of the summer – most notably in attack, where Cameron Jerome and ex-Red Peter Crouch were recruited.

“They also have (Kenwyne) Jones who can challenge in the air and is really strong,” added Lucas.

“Crouchy is very good in the air and with the ball at his feet. He can make things happen. And we know Jerome was an important player for Birmingham.

They will probably be very excited playing their first game at the stadium for their fans, so we have to be aware of that.”

Rory Delap’s long throw ins are one of Stoke’s most potent attacking weapons, however reports suggest the 35-year-old could miss the game due to injury.

Nonetheless, Lucas is well aware the Potters have plenty more ammunition in their armoury.

The Brazilian said: “He is an important player for them, especially with his throw ins. We know (Robert) Huth can do a similar type of job as Delap.

“If he doesn’t play they will probably miss him. But they are not just about throw ins.

“They have good players, including a couple that played here in the past. That means they have quality and we have to make sure we prepare well and are ready to battle.”

The trip to the Britannia Stadium could provide Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy with their first appearances in Liverpool jerseys since their transfers to Anfield last week.

Lucas believes the pair will prove to be fine acquisitions to the squad and is confident they’ll have no problem adjusting to life on Merseyside.

“Bellamy has been here for a year before, so he knows what the club is about,” he said.

“Coates is a young player who has a lot of potential. He has come to strengthen the squad and give us more quality in defence. We already have three very good players (in that position) and with Danny Wilson, who is a young player as well, he will add a lot of strength and quality.

“We are here to help him to settle, in the same way we helped Luis. I don’t think Craig will have any problems to settle in the city and at the club as well.”

Source : Liverpool FC

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