Lucas Leiva has insisted that he never wanted to leave Liverpool during the summer transfer window.

“I was very frustrated that I couldn’t make the squad for the first two games, but I had to keep training and working hard because we have a lot of examples where football can change in a moment,” Lucas told the Liverpool Echo.

“Of course, I never wanted to leave Liverpool. I have a home here and my family are very happy. But sometimes you do find yourself thinking about another solution if you think that will keep your career going.

“A couple of things happened during the first couple of games that gave me the chance to play against Arsenal, and I believe it was because I was training so hard and was well prepared that I was able to come in and have a good game.”

Leiva was closely linked with a loan move to Beşiktaş but the deal fell through at the last minute when Reds boss Brendan Rodgers decided to keep the defensive midfielder following injury to Jordan Henderson.

The experienced midfielder put on an impressive performance in his first start of the season against Arsenal.

Beşiktaş were in the transfer market for a central midfielder following injury to both Veli Kavlak and Tolgay Arslan who could be out until the turn of the year.

The Black Eagles were also linked with a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Mikel which also fell through.

Besiktas ended up failing to find a replacement which opened the door for former Arsenal youth Oğuzhan Özyakup to earn a first team place.

See More
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is happy with Mesut Ozil says agent
Man Utd legend David Beckham is Barcelona star Arda Turan’s role model