Lucas called up to Olympics

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva has been called into the Brazilian squad for the 2008 Olympics. If Brazil progress far into the competition the midfielder could be missing for most of September.

With Xabi Alonso set to depart and Javier Mascherano likely to be called up to Argentina’s squad, that would leave Liverpool short in the midfield. Liverpool are set to contest a Mascherano call up, should it come.

Lucas will be pairing up with Manchester United’s Anderson in the central of midfield for Brazil. Depending on their performances, they could force their way into the full team set up since Brazil are noticeably weak in that area.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional)

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Schalke 04), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Lucas (Liverpool), Anderson (Manchester United), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Diego (Werder Bremen), Thiago Neves (Fluminense)

Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Jo (Manchester City)