Lucas Leiva has stated that his performance against Arsenal saved his Liverpool career.

The Brazil international 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.

“Maybe if there hadn’t been the Arsenal game, I wouldn’t be here now. But I always believe that things happen for a reason,” Lucas told the Liverpool Echo.

“I’m very happy that I stayed and I will keep fighting for the club as I have been doing for the past eight years.”

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.

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