Liverpool transfer news: Lucas Leiva rubbishes Anfield exit rumours and reveals Reds' targets for the season

Liverpool star midfielder Lucas Leiva has put the recent speculations surrounding his future to bed after he insisted that he has no plans of leaving Anfield. The Brazilian's future at the club was uncertain before the start of the season and he was wanted by Turkish outfit Besitkas last summer.

The 29-year-old had feared his time at the Merseyside club had come to an end last summer, only for the performance against Arsenal earlier in the season to save his Liverpool career. Former manager Brendan Rodgers fielded Lucas in the absence of Jordan Henderson against the Gunners.

Anfield favourite Jamie Carragher believes Lucas has been a key player for Jurgen Klopp. Since the former Borussia Dortmund coach replaced the Northern Irishman in October 2015, the midfielder has been a regular inclusion in the squad and has started in 14 matches under the German manager.

"It is my ninth season with the club and there is always speculation and interest from other clubs. But I have always showed a lot of passion for the club and I love to be here and play for the club," Lucas told talkSPORT.

"Sometimes things don't go the right way and at the moment everyone is speculating about the manager bringing in new players, but it's been like this since I arrived really. I just need to keep going and keep working because I think I've been having a very good season."

Lucas has featured in 25 matches in all competitions this season and he even started in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final clash against Stoke City. His side sealed their place at Wembley where they face Manchester City in the final. The Reds' number 21 suggests that Liverpool have their sights on winning the competition and finishing the season in top four.

"We have taken it [the League Cup] seriously and showed how much we care about it. Now we've got to Wembley, which is where we wanted to be, and now we wait to see who we will play," the Brazilian explained.

"Hopefully we will get a title for the club. We've been working really hard and I think we deserve something good this season.

"Of course it's still possible [to finish in the top four] but we need to have a good run of games, and if we do that and get a bit closer than maybe we can start to think about it. At the moment we need to improve with each game and see what we can take to the end of the season."