Lucas: Players hope Kenny Dalglish will be at Liverpool next year

BPL, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, Karl Henry and Lucas (Getty Images)

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Liverpool midfielder Lucas claims it is only ‘a matter of time’ before manager Kenny Dalglish signs a permanent deal on Anfield and take the job into next season.

After replacing Roy Hodgson in January, Dalglish has managed tom turn the Merseyside outfit’s fortunes around and it appears little argument can be made on the Scotsman being given the job on a long-term basis.

Brazilian international Lucas insists that the whole squad are enjoying playing under the club legend and are keen to see Dalglish stay on permanently and continue the wonders he has done for the Reds since arriving just four months ago.

“The way he came to the club and the way he changed a lot, it is just a matter of time before he will agree his new deal,” said the 24-year-old.

“As players we just have to hope he will be here next year with us. We will try to win the next five games, if we do that we will be helping him as well.

“Kenny and Steve Clarke who arrived as coach just after Dalglish have done really well.

“They have changed the principles of the training sessions with Sammy Lee, who has been here a few years already.

“The way they have changed things, giving all the team confidence, is really important.

“Kenny is the key to keeping everyone together and keep the confidence of everyone.”

Hodgson’s failed tenure at Anfield brought about a combination of poor results and an uneasy atmosphere amongst players and fans alike. The takeover by Fenway Sports Group in October mildly raised performances, but nine defeats in 20 league games was not good enough for Liverpool and Dalglish was brought in to replace the former Fulham man.

However, Lucas claims that the turnaround on Merseyside was not purely down to a tactical change, but the personal touch of the former great himself.

“One of the things I really like about Kenny is he treats everyone the same,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if you are young or a senior player, everyone has the same importance in the club and it gives everyone a big lift.

“We are together, more united. It is difficult to explain, but I feel the dressing room is much better now than it was before.

“We didn’t have before the atmosphere that we have now in the dressing room.

“The relationship is not just professional, we have become more friends than before and that’s helped a lot on the pitch.

“When you like your team-mates you try to help them a lot and that’s that we are doing. The spirit has been really good.

“All the players are really looking forward to the future. The only way we will change things is if we are together.”

Lucas has been arguably the most consistent performer for the 2005 European Champions throughout the season, but feels he has benefited from Dalglish’s presence in the squad.

“Kenny has been really important for me because he’s given me a lot of confidence.” He said.

“He’s a manager that doesn’t say a lot but when he does it’s spot-on.

“I just have to keep going and I still have a lot of things to improve and the only way to keep the same level is to work hard.”