Liverpool midfielder Lucas ruled out for rest of the season with serious knee injury

Lucas had been in great form

Lucas Leiva will miss the rest of the season after a scan revealed damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Liverpool confirmed.

 "The Brazil international will undergo surgery and unfortunately be ruled out for the remainder of the current campaign," a statement from the club said.

He was carried off on a stretcher in the Liverpool's 2-0 Carling Cup quarter-final win at Chelsea on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old had been in great form in this season and became a vital player for the club. The news was a big blow for manager Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool fans.

His messages of goodwill on Twitter showed his desire to return strongly.

"I am sure I will come back stronger and I will achieve everything that I dream with the LFC shirt. I am sure I'll never walk alone," he wrote.