Just saw Paul Dalglish tweet these very interesting stats.
Kenny with Lucas: P30 W16 D7 L7 F51 A28 Pts 55 Points Per Game 1.83.
Rodgers with Lucas: P29 W16 D7 L6 F58 A30 Pts 55 PPG 1.90
Kenny without Lucas: P26 W8 D6 L12 F31 A29 Pts 30 PPG 1.15.
Rodgers without Lucas: P12 W3 D6 L3 F16 A13 Pts 15 PPG 1.25
Dalglish and Rodgers Total with Lucas: P59 Pts 110 PPG 1.86.
Dalglish & Rodgers Total without Lucas: P38 Pts 45 PPG 1.18
Looks pretty even to me. Better style of plan perhaps under Brenny

But basically without Lucas we're [oops].
Lucas needs a full season for us to even have a hope of fourth.