Last Updated: Wed, 07 May 2008 08:54
Lucas Leiva has confirmed his intention to play in the summer Olympics for Brazil handing Rafa Benitez a midfield headache.
Javier Mascherano has already stated he wants to represent Argentina in China and, if as expected, Leiva is called up for Brazil then Benitez will have a problem in midfield for the opening games of the season.
The Olympic football tournament takes place between August 6-23 meaning the club could be short of cover for the first two matches of the season as well as the disruption to the build up.
"Hopefully I will be picked," Lucas told the Daily Post. "That would mean I would start the pre-season here with Liverpool and then later on I would go to the Olympics. I need to wait for the squad to be picked but hopefully I will go.
"I know that would mean me missing some games for Liverpool, and that is not good. But for Brazil the Olympics is like the World Cup because Brazil has never won the gold medal.
"I need to think about the Olympics and I will speak with Rafa about this."