Lucas the Liverpool lynchpin…

As he is closing on celebrating his 10 years at the club, Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has told ESPN Brazil he had opportunities to leave Anfield during the summer.

What’s the word?

Well, amid Jurgen Klopp’s overhaul on Merseyside, the stoic Brazilian was linked with moves away to both Turkey and Championship outfit Newcastle United. With so much depth in the Reds’ midfield, the 29-year-old was beginning to look expendable.

Still, he has revealed he is happy to stay with the Kop titans and continue his working relationship with the charismatic German coach.

“There really were a few exit opportunities, they ended up not happening, Liverpool didn’t feel comfortable to seal a deal”, said the former Gremio man.

”For the time I’ve been here, I respected the club and stayed for another year, for this season, starting my tenth season for the club, which is a very cool mark.”

Thoughts on the Klopp factor?

Across his pretty much decade in the Premier League, the former Selecao international has seen it all unfold at the club.

Playing under a number of different managers, he was part of the side that won the League Cup under Kenny Dalglish back in 2011.

As the Reds look to embark on a new era under the stewardship of the 49-year-old boss, Leiva has given his seal of approval.

“My relationship with Klopp is very good, I have full confidence from him. Last year there were eight or nine months to know a little more about the way he wants the team to work.”

“And this year, with a full pre-season with him and new signings, we started the Premier League very well.”

”So we expect to be able to have a different year than last year in relation to titles, last year we got to two finals and we lost the two, and this year we expect it to be different.”

Will he play much?

Though not a fixture in the first-team, Lucas’ ever emerging versatility is likely to stand him in good stead across the duration of the season.

The engine room is currently pretty packed at Liverpool, though he was handed a starting berth in central defence as they thumped champions Leicester City earlier this season.

Despite his howler gifting the Foxes a goal, he’s a solid option across the park for Klopp as the season progresses.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Clyne relishing historic Europa League clash

Liverpool faces Manchester United in the Europa League and Nathaniel Clyne says his side owes its fierce rival a good result.

Nathaniel Clyne says Liverpool is due a victory against Manchester United when the fierce Premier League rivals meet in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 195th competitive meeting between the two clubs is their first in European competition, and will be the only time two English clubs have faced off in the competition since Liverpool played Tottenham in April 1973.

Jurgen Klopp's side is on an eight-match unbeaten run in Europe and has responded well to its League Cup final disappointment against Manchester City, having recorded back-to-back league wins over Manuel Pellegrini's men and Crystal Palace.

United, by contrast, saw a four-game winning run halted at West Brom on Sunday in another blow to its underwhelming campaign, but Louis van Gaal retains a perfect record in four encounters with Liverpool since taking charge in 2014.

And Clyne is desperate to end that run at Anfield this week as Liverpool looks to secure a first-leg advantage - and avoid the potential perils of an away goal - at Anfield.

"This is why I signed for such a big club, to look forward to nights like this," Clyne told Liverpool's website. "I think we owe them from the Premier League games, which we probably should have got more out of. We need to take it to them, especially in the first leg when we're at home, try and get some goals [but also] keep a clean sheet, which is the most important thing. We don't want them to get an away goal."

United faces a gruelling run of fixtures over the next two weeks, with an FA Cup quarterfinal against West Ham on Sunday and a derby trip to Manchester City following the second leg against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

But defender Daley Blind insists the last-16 tie remains massive for his side as the club aims to keep its hopes of lifting the trophy in Basel - and of securing a Champions League qualification spot - alive.

"It's a busy schedule coming up again and Liverpool will be a great game to play in, especially as it's now in the Europa League," he told United's matchday programme. "You're either in or out, through to the next round or not, so it's very important for us.

"They will say it's important for them too so we have to show that we want it more."

Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are all expected to return to Klopp's line-up after starting Sunday's win at Crystal Palace on the bench, though Christian Benteke - who scored the winning penalty at Selhurst Park - will also be pushing for a recall. Lucas Leiva (thigh) is out.

Injury problems persist for United. The club is still without captain Wayne Rooney - who scored the winner at Anfield in the league meeting last month - due to a knee injury, as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Ashley Young (groin), Antonio Valencia (ankle), Luke Shaw (leg) and Phil Jones (ankle).

Jesse Lingard is also suspended, but Marouane Fellaini was fit enough for the bench on Sunday after missing six games with a hamstring problem and should be involved.

Key Opta Stats:

- Manchester United has lost just one of its nine meetings with English sides in European competition (W6 D2).
- United hasn't won any of its last five away knockout games in European competition, losing four times (D1).
- Juan Mata has been involved in eight goals in his last eight games against Liverpool in all competitions (three goals and five assists).
- James Milner has scored a penalty in each of his last two Europa League appearances at Anfield for Liverpool.