Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister has hailed Lucas Leiva's influence on the side.

The Brazilian midfielder's return to the first team has coincided with an unbeaten run which stretches back to mid-December, but the defensive-minded Lucas misses out for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur this evening through injury.

McAllister believes that the understated nature of Lucas's play is the perfect base for the team's flair players to thrive.

"He's one of those players, I don't think you realise how good he is until you play with him, he's a great insurance policy for players with the flair," McAllister told BT Sport.

"It looked as though he was going to be surplus to requirements under Brendan Rodgers back in November, but he's knuckled down and got on with it and the players really love him. The players really trust him."

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