Liverpool set to keep Lucas Leiva

Liverpool will only sell midfielder Lucas Leiva if they can sign adequate defensive cover, according to reports.

Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player after Martin Skrtel was sold to Fenerbahce earlier this summer.

Lucas featured 40 times for the Reds last season – 27 times in the Premier League – as the club reached the finals of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup.

But the 29-year-old remains back-up at best in a number of positions at Anfield, and has attracted interest from Galatasaray this summer.

The Turkish club are not the only suitor for the Brazil international, but manager Jurgen Klopp will not sanction the sale unless defensive cover arrives, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Injuries to Joel Matip, Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez have depleted Liverpool’s central-defensive options this summer, and while Lucas is a midfielder by trade, Klopp utilised him at centre-half throughout last season.

Ragnar Klavan has arrived as cover, and the Estonian is in line to feature in the season opener against Arsenal on August 14.

Klavan and Dejan Lovren are the club’s only fit options at centre-half – although Matip is expected to recover in time to play.

Lucas himself is also carrying an injury, but should return within a fortnight.