The Scot has overseen such a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in such a short period there can be little argument against the man rated the club's greatest player being given the job on a long-term basis. There is no doubt in the mind of Lucas it will happen sooner rather than later, with the Brazil international admitting the whole squad are keen to continue working with the 60-year-old to continue their progress. "The way he came to the club and the way he changed a lot, it is just a matter of time (before) he will agree his new deal," said the 24-year-old, who has been the club's most consistent performer this season. "As players we just have to hope he will be here next year with us. We will try to win the next five games, if we do that we will be helping him as well. "Kenny and Steve Clarke (the former Chelsea assistant who arrived as coach just after Dalglish) have done really well. "They have changed the principles of the training sessions with Sammy Lee, who has been here a few years already. "The way they have changed things, giving all the team confidence, is really important. "Kenny is the key to keeping everyone together and keep the confidence of everyone." Clarke's influence should not be underestimated, but it appears changes elsewhere have had as much to do with the upturn in results as the work being done on the pitches at Melwood. Roy Hodgson's ill-fated six-month spell in charge was among the worst fans can remember, with poor performances and an atmosphere of unrest and unhappiness among the squad. Fenway Sports Group's purchase of the club in October ended the dysfunctional tenure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and the renewed hope it brought briefly impacted on results. But the downward spiral soon returned and it was not until, after nine defeats in 20 Premier League matches, Hodgson was replaced by Dalglish, that the transformation began. Lucas feels it was not necessarily the tactical approach but a personal one which prompted the turnaround. "One of the things I really like about Kenny is he treats everyone the same," he said. "It doesn't matter if you are young or a senior player, everyone has the same importance in the club and it gives everyone a big lift. "We are together, more united. It is difficult to explain, but I feel the dressing room is much better now than it was before. "We didn't have before the atmosphere that we have now in the dressing room. "The relationship is not just professional, we have become more friends than before and that's helped a lot on the pitch. "When you like your team-mates you try to help them a lot and that's that we are doing. The spirit has been really good. "All the players are really looking forward to the future. The only way we will change things is if we are together." Lucas, unlike many of his team-mates, was having a good campaign even before the change of manager, but feels he has benefited from the input of Dalglish. "I am really happy with the way I am playing this season," he said. "A few players left and I had to take the responsibility more than previous seasons and I think that is why I am enjoying my football. "Kenny has been really important for me because he's given me a lot of confidence. "He's a manager that doesn't say a lot but when he does it's spot-on. "I just have to keep going and I still have a lot of things to improve and the only way to keep the same level is to work hard." Lucas will anchor the midfield against Birmingham at Anfield tomorrow as the Reds continue their bid to catch fifth-placed Tottenham. "We know how important it is to play European competition next season and we are trying really hard to get it," he added. "Birmingham are a very difficult team, they beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup and I don't think people expected that, but it showed they have quality players and a good squad." Meanwhile, the club have refused to comment on reports they have lined up a record-breaking £25million-a-year kit deal with Warrior, a subsidiary of New Balance, to begin in the 2012-13 season.
