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Liverpool will put on a party for Lucas Leiva to mark his decade of service to the club. In truth they should be planning a testimonial.

It will be 10 years next month since the Brazilian signed for the Reds in a £5million move from Gremio. He has repaid that fee many times over with blood, sweat and tears.

There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way but his longevity during a turbulent era for the club has been remarkable.

The fact that he has survived under five different Liverpool managers - making 341 appearances in total - is testament to his ability as well as his commitment and professionalism.

In equalling Sami Hyypia's 10-year stint with the Reds, it means only four overseas players in the club's 125-year history have ever spent longer at Anfield. They are Arthur Riley (South Africa, 1925-1940), Berry Nieuwenhuys (South Africa, 1933-1947), Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe, 1981-1994) and Jan Molby (Denmark, 1984-1996).

Hyypia (328) and Pepe Reina (285) are the only foreign stars who can beat Lucas' current tally of 242 Premier League outings for the Reds.

Over the past decade he has made a habit of triumphing in the face of adversity. On a number of occasions he has looked destined to move on, only to come back from the brink, prove his worth and answering his critics.

There was the baptism of fire as he adjusted to the demands of English football. With Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano for competition, he was restricted to 25 league starts across two seasons.

As Benitez reinvented him as a defensive midfielder, Lucas became an easy scapegoat for fans’ frustration. But after the sale of Alonso to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, he finally became a regular and set about silencing his doubters.

Benitez’s exit in 2010 was followed by managing director Christian Purslow telling him that he could leave if a suitable offer arrived. Rather than throw in the towel, Lucas vowed to stay and fight for his place.

He was one of the few to shine during Roy Hodgson’s dismal tenure and then starred in the resurgence under Kenny Dalglish. Admiration for him on the Kop blossomed and in 2011 he was voted Liverpool Player of the Season.

During the early months of the 2011/12 season there wasn’t a better holding midfielder in the Premier League but that November he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Stamford Bridge.

Cruelly, he was forced to sit and watch as Steven Gerrard lifted the League Cup at Wembley. He belatedly received a winners’ medal after Dalglish requested one was specially struck. Lucas was sorely missed as Liverpool’s league campaign fell to bits and Dalglish lost his job.

Under Brendan Rodgers, Lucas regained his fitness, earned a new contract and played his part in the title challenge of 2013/14.

In recent years his future has regularly been the subject of speculation. In the 2014/15 season Liverpool turned down interest from Napoli and Inter Milan.

The following summer Rodgers pulled the plug on a transfer to Besiktas at the 11th hour after Jordan Henderson was sidelined by a heel injury. Lucas stepped in to deliver an accomplished performance against Arsenal at the Emirates and his Reds career had a new lease of life.

Lucas kept his place after Jurgen Klopp’s appointment and went on to clock up 40 appearances last term - his best since 2010/11 - including a number of outings at centre-back.

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Last summer brought more uncertainty with the arrival of new boys Gini Wijnaldum and Marko Grujic - coupled with Klopp’s decision to play Henderson in the holding role.

Galatasaray were desperate to sign him but with Lucas having the ability to provide cover for two positions Klopp came to the conclusion that he simply couldn’t afford to lose him.

Adjusting to being a squad player wasn't easy for Lucas. He has never been the type who is happy to warm the bench and simply pick up his money. Playing for Liverpool means everything to him. Missing out when the team sheet is pinned up hurts.

With a heavy heart, Klopp was prepared to sanction his exit back in January if there was a new challenge on the table which Lucas fancied.

But a loan offer from Inter Milan with no commitment to buy was never going to convince Lucas to uproot his young family. To the manager's delight, he stayed put.

It proved to be a wise decision by Lucas. Having only started three Premier League matches between August and early February, he has started six since. His contribution to the recent wins over Everton and West Brom has been eye-catching.

Now Lucas' future is once again on the agenda. Will his Liverpool career extend into an 11th season?

He admitted after the win at the Hawthorns that he doesn't currently have the answer. He will sit down for talks with Klopp when the dust has settled at the end of May.

“I have to analyse,” he said.

“I am 30, I am not 35 or 36. I feel I have many years that I can still play at the top level. I need to see what is best for me and the club and then I am sure we will make a decision together."

Lucas' current deal runs until the summer of 2018. Whether he stays until then will hinge largely on what kind of role Klopp sees him having next term.

With European football back on the agenda will there be sufficient game time on offer to whet his appetite? How will the expected influx of new signings affect his position in the pecking order?

Certainly, recent weeks have provided a timely reminder for Klopp about what Lucas gives you. His wealth of experience is invaluable.

In the absence of some key names his versatility has been crucial. He's a leader in the dressing room and a role model for the club's youngsters.

His bond with the club and the city is strong - epitomised by the off-field work he does as a long-serving Liverpool FC Foundation ambassador.

Up until now there have been no discussions about a testimonial but one should be on the agenda.

Whether Lucas ends up staying or going this summer, a showpiece game at Anfield would be just reward for a decade of unwavering service.