The player’s representative has admitted that the Brazil international is unhappy with his lack of game time at Anfield and would like to be reunited with Rafael Benitez

Lucas Leiva’s agent has revealed that the midfielder could leave Liverpool during the January transfer window and that a move to Napoli would appeal to his client.

The Brazil international has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield this season, with the 27-year-old having been afforded just two Premier League starts by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.

Consequently, Lucas’ representative, Henrique Coelho, has admitted that the former Gremio man could be tempted to move elsewhere in search of regular first-team football.

“Is it possible that Lucas could leave Liverpool in January? Yes, naturally,” the agent admitted in an interview with Calciomercato.com.

When asked if his client would, therefore, be interested in being reunited with Rafael Benitez at Napoli, Coelho replied: “Lucas likes him a lot.

“After all, the two know each other well from when the Spaniard was coaching Liverpool.”

Benitez signed Lucas from Gremio in the summer of 2007 for a reported €6 million and, after a lengthy adaptation period at Anfield, the midfield enforcer went on to establish himself as a regular in the Reds’ starting line-up.

The South American was heavily linked with a move to the San Paolo last summer but Napoli’s failure to qualify for the Champions League group stages – and the resulting loss of revenue – reportedly played a part in the Partenopei’s inability to push through a deal.

Jacques Lichtenstein says the promising midfielder will not be forced into a move but admits he has outgrown Anderlecht

Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are among a host of clubs who could be a transfer option for Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet, according to his agent.

The 20-year-old has impressed for the Belgian champions since arriving from Genk, helping them to three league titles and three Belgian Super Cups since his move in 2010.

And after making his international debut against Iceland, Jacques Lichtenstein has admitted his client would be suitable for a number of clubs – including the Gunners, whom he has faced already in the Champions League this season.

“Dennis will not go just anywhere,” he told Sport. “Clubs like Valencia, Liverpool, Arsenal or Atletico Madrid are eligible, not Dinamo Kiev (who have been linked with the midfielder).

“He is not so far from the level of a club like Arsenal, where they can give him a year adjustment period.”

Despite listing clubs who would be suitable, Lichtenstein was quick to deny that the youngster is eyeing up a move.

And though he questioned what else he could learn at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, he revealed he would not force a transfer on the player.

“What more can he gain by spending one more campaign at Anderlecht after contributing to three back-to-back titles?

“But I will never push a player in the direction of a transfer. You make a career of 20 years with the vision for the long term.”

The 25-year-old pulled up with a thigh strain at Melwood on Tuesday and is now unavailable to face Crystal Palace, though the extent of the problem has not been disclosed

By Liam Twomey

Liverpool have confirmed that Daniel Sturridge has suffered another thigh strain in training and is now unavailable for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

As reported by Goal, Sturridge pulled up during a session at Melwood on Tuesday and it is believed the injury is similar in nature to the thigh problem that originally sidelined him while on England duty in early September.

The precise extent of the new problem has not been elaborated on and the 25-year-old will be assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff in the coming days, but the striker has been ruled out of contention to face Palace.

“Liverpool Football Club today confirmed scans have revealed Daniel Sturridge has sustained a new thigh injury,” a club statement read.

“The player will remain unavailable for selection but will be monitored and assessed during his recovery.”

Sturridge has not featured for Liverpool since starring in a 3-0 evisceration of Tottenham at White Hart Lane on August 31 and Brendan Rodgers’ men have won just four of 14 matches in all competitions in his absence, with summer signing Mario Balotelli scoring just twice.

The Reds lie 11th in the Premier League after 11 matches, four points off West Ham in fourth, and it now appears that Rodgers will again have to do without the man who scored 21 Premier League goals last season despite missing a significant chunk of the campaign with an ankle injury.

Sturridge had been progressing well in training while recovering from an unrelated calf problem, and as recently as November 12 took to Twitter to reassure fans that he would soon return to the field.
 

P.s training was class. Happy to be back. Thank you Jesus.

— Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) November 12, 2014

The 25-year-old has been beset by injuries since arriving at Anfield in a £12 million deal from Chelsea in January 2013, and last month suggested his genes and body type might be to blame for his persistent muscular problems.

“I’ve been unfortunate this season to pick up injuries. Maybe it’s my body type and hereditary,” he told TalkSPORT.

“My uncle Dean had a lot of muscle problems when he played, uncle Simon the same, and my dad. Maybe it’s the Caribbean vibes. [I have] fast-twitch muscles, I am more vulnerable to muscle injuries.”