Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Lucas Leiva may not rediscover his best form until next season.

The Brazilian midfielder spent almost a year on the sidelines recently with a knee ligament injury.

Despite the fact that he has impressed upon his return to action in December, Rodgers believes that there is plenty more to come from the 26-year-old.

"I still don't think you're going to see the best of Lucas until probably next season," Rodgers told the club's official website. "When you're out for a year, it takes a while to get back and some people will tell you it will nearly take you another six months to a year to be back at your best.

"We're just trying to get him as many games and minutes as we can."

Lucas joined the Reds from Gremio in 2007.