Wednesday 1 April 2015 17:14, UK
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is determined to make up for lost time following his groin injury.
The Brazil star, 28, has been ruled out of the last 10 games but is confident he can rediscover the form that earned him a run of 16 starts in 19 matches from late November.
Reds captain Steven Gerrard is suspended for the next three matches following his red card against Manchester United and having been an unused substitute in the defeat at Anfield, Lucas is likely to find himself back in action sooner rather than later.
Martin is having a fantastic season again. He has been a very consistent player for us and losing him and Stevie is hard to take, but if you want to be successful you can't rely on one or two players.
He told the club's official website: "I was in a very good moment, probably the best moment in the last couple of years, and I had a good run of games.
"The beginning of the season wasn't good for me because I couldn't play much, but as soon as I got back in the team I think I helped a lot.
"I don't know if Stevie's suspension will change things because the team were playing well, but I need to be ready and there are a lot of games to play and the FA Cup as well, so everyone will be needed.
"I need to be ready and if I get a chance again I need to be at the same level I was before I was injured."
Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to Arsenal, where Brendan Rodgers' men will be hoping to get their top-four push back on track despite the absences of Gerrard and the suspended Martin Skrtel, Lucas is hopeful.
"Martin is having a fantastic season again. He has been a very consistent player for us and losing him and Stevie is hard to take, but if you want to be successful you can't rely on one or two players.
"Both are very important players for us as one can change a game and the other gives us stability at the back, but we have other players as well who can step in.
"It's always been the case for the group that if someone gets injured then someone will step in and do the job. That's how it should be and we shouldn't be afraid we don't have them.
"Of course it's going to be a big miss not having Stevie and Skrts, but we have to show we can cope for the three games and then we have them back ready to go again."
