Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010

Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010 and believes former Anfield boss Roy Hodgson signed Christian Poulsen to replace him in midfield.

Lucas Leiva: A vital cog in Liverpool's midfield

The Brazil international, bought by Rafa Benitez in 2007, felt his days on Merseyside were numbered after the Spaniard left and Hodgson arrived to replace him.

Hodgson brought in Poulsen, who had played for him at Copenhagen, but the Dane only lasted a year at Anfield - whereas Lucas was named Liverpool's Player of the Season in 2010-11.

Lucas Leiva will take on a scouting role at Liverpool while he recovers from a thigh injury.

Lucas Leiva will take on a scouting role at Liverpool while he recovers from a thigh injury.

Lucas: Making use of time on the sidelines

The 25-year-old midfielder is facing up to three months out after suffering the problem at the start of a Premier League match against Manchester City on August 26.

It was a devastating blow for the Brazil international, who had only just returned from a seven-month lay-off with cruciate knee ligament damage.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that giving Lucas some scouting work will keep his spirits up as he recovers.

Liverpool anxious over Lucas injury

Liverpool are waiting to discover the extent of midfielder Lucas Leiva's thigh injury amid concerns that he could be out for up to two months.

Lucas and Anfield team-mate Daniel Agger

Lucas, came off five minutes into Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City after having felt the injury during the warm-up.

Manager Brendan Rodgers initially thought the 25-year-old had pulled a muscle, but is worried that it could be a tear that would keep him out for between six and ten weeks.

Lucas missed the final five months of last season after damaging his cruciate knee ligament in a League Cup victory at Chelsea at the start of December.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva says the support of new manager Brendan Rodgers has helped his recovery from injury

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva says the support of new manager Brendan Rodgers has helped his recovery from injury.

GettyImagesLucas is still wanted at Anfield

Lucas, 25, spent seven months on the sidelines after damaging his cruciate ligament in November, but has returned to action during the club's North American tour.

The Brasil socialism revealed Composer, who replaced Kenny Dalglish endmost period, had supposal him a hike by disclosure him that he was in his plans.

He told the nine's functionary website: "On my eldest day game in Port, he rung with me and said I was in his plans.

"Those text helped me to unbend a less bit solon because he was a new manager forthcoming in and everyone wants to imprint. I was forthcoming place from an unhealthiness and knew I wouldn't be at the selfsame storey as the separate players.

"It gave me the authority to advance easy, and I am rattling paradisial to eff his hold from the commencement.

"When a handler says large things near you, it always gives you additional certainty and need - but I was already driven sufficiency. I am at a big gild and rattling paradisal to try for this lodge.

"It's retributory a mull of second and being patient. He has been really grave from the rank day."