Lucas Leiva Backs Arne Slot to Retain the Premier League Title

Think Football Ideas
Jul 28
2 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Why Lucas Leiva Thinks Arne Slot Can Win the Premier League Again

Lucas Leiva might have hung up his boots, but his heart still beats for Liverpool, and he sees something special building under Arne Slot.

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Having spent a decade at Anfield and watched countless rebuilds take shape, the former Brazil international isn’t easily swayed by early-season optimism. Yet, speaking during Liverpool’s pre-season tour, Lucas made it clear: he believes Slot’s Reds have what it takes to go all the way again.

“Anything,” Lucas answered plainly when asked what Liverpool can achieve this season, as the club's official website quoted. “We have a really good, strong team that can win every title.”

Fresh off a stunning debut campaign that saw Arne Slot guide Liverpool to the Premier League crown, the second in the Reds' history, expectations are naturally sky-high.

And with the summer additions of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike boosting an already impressive squad, Lucas sees no reason to scale back ambition.

Lucas Leiva spent 10 years at Liverpool, winning the League Cup, currently called the Carabao Cup.

A Style Lucas Wishes He’d Played Under

For Lucas, who built his career as a disciplined, combative midfielder, Slot’s approach has been refreshing.

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The results are one thing, but it’s the fluidity, tactical awareness, and ability to adapt within games that have all impressed the former midfielder.

“I think the way Arne plays, he’s able to adapt, which I think is really important,” Lucas observed. “During the game you can see that he is able to adapt to a different way of playing but they have a culture and an identity, I think, as well. So, he is a manager who, for sure, I would have loved to work with.”

That balance of tactical structure and expressive freedom is something Lucas admires deeply, particularly how it empowers the midfield.

A Midfield Evolution That Surprised Everyone

Lucas also gave a nod to the current midfield, particularly Ryan Gravenberch, who emerged last season as a dynamic presence in a deeper role, despite not being a typical No. 6 like Lucas himself.

“Maybe nobody expected him to succeed so much in the role but he did, and in a different way,” Lucas explained.“The way he can turn without touching the ball, the way he can drive forward...” It’s the way that Arne works, to give freedom to express their qualities.”

Lucas Leiva is the first-ever Brazilian to score for Liverpool.

One Eye on the Future, Both Feet in the Present

For Lucas, there’s no room for complacency, but he’s excited. There’s pride in what the Merseyside club has achieved and belief that this team, under Slot’s cool-headed leadership, is far from finished.