Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has named the most underrated player during his time at the club.
Lucas spent 10 years at Anfield between 2007 and 2017. Over that time, the Brazilian played with plenty of modern-day Liverpool greats, as well as a handful of genuine legends.
In the years since his Liverpool exit, Lucas has spoken about the very best of his Reds’ teammates. But today, as a guest on The Official Liverpool FC Podcast, the 36-year-old was asked to name the player who was the most underrated during his Liverpool career.
“I would say a funny one, I don’t think you would expect, but Steve Finnan,” Lucas replied. “He was a great player and he was really important for the team.
“I think he was very appreciated, but Sami Hyypia – underrated. Probably one of the best defenders I played with. There are many, but these two come to my mind as the first ones.”
Lucas puts the spotlight on Finnan
This is a great answer from Lucas and is definitely something worth exploring further.
Since leaving Liverpool in 2008, Finnan has become well-known as being a very difficult man to reach.
The former Ireland international has seemingly completely shunned the limelight many of his former Anfield colleagues actively seek.
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As a result, Finnan has become something of a figure of fun. Perhaps this feeds into the notion that his spell at Liverpool has never been fully appreciated.
Furthermore, the Irishman ended up being the unlucky fall guy during the 2005 Champions League final. With the Reds 3-0 down to AC Milan, Rafa Benitez had to change something.
Djimi Traore was reportedly the man set to come off, but a slight knock to Finnan meant that he ended up being the one substituted. Consequently, he played no part in the comeback of all comebacks and was instead forever associated with the first-half mauling.
Finnan also started the 2007 Champions League final, playing 88 minutes before being replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. Another disappointing day at the office.
Lucas clearly recognised his worth, though. And the right-back was still an instrumental part of the team that won back-to-back major trophies in 2005 and 2006.
Not as glamourous as some of his teammates, it’s easy to see why Finnan was overlooked. The full-back role in Gerard Houllier and Benitez’s teams’ wasn’t quite the marauding remit handed to Trent Alexander-Arnold today, either. He was completely dependable and as solid as they come though, and it’s nice to see him getting some praise.