Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised the "absolutely incredible" attitude shown by Lucas Leiva in recent weeks.

The defensive midfielder has missed parts of the campaign through injury, and has been restricted to a place among the substitutes' bench since returning last month.

"I've got to say Lucas has been absolutely incredible in his attitude," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. "It's been hard for him because he played a high percentage of the games when he was fit and obviously then got his injury.

"The team has done really well in his absence. Steven [Gerrard] in that role is a world class operator. He has taken to it really well. The difference now is that rather than playing with two defensive midfield players we are playing with one. There is more emphasis on the attacking element.

"But I have to pay homage to Lucas because he's been first class with his attitude and his work. He has made it known to me that he just wants to help whenever he's called upon – whether it's for one minute or 90 minutes he will be ready."

Lucas joined the Reds in 2007 from Brazilian club Gremio.