Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has become the club's latest in a long line of players to be burgled while on the pitch.

Raiders struck at the Brazil international's home in Woolton while he was playing at Anfield against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old returned home to find raiders had stolen an Olympic bronze medal he won in the summer as well as a collection of Brazil and Liverpool shirts.

The raid follows burglaries in the last 18 months at the homes of England dynamo Steven Gerrard, Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt, goalkeeper Pepe Reina, defender Daniel Agger and former players Peter Crouch and Jerzy Dudek.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said crime scene investigators attended the address and house-to-house inquiries were conducted.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Peter Parry said: "I would like to empathise to Mr Leiva and his partner for what must have been an upsetting experience.

"As with every burglary victim, we will be carrying out a thorough investigation and offering them crime prevention advice.

"Taken from the address was an amount of jewellery and some very distinctive football and sports memorabilia.

"These items have significant personal importance to Mr Leiva and they were associated with some very cherished memories. I'd ask members of the public to be on the look out in case they are offered such items for sale either on the street or in pubs or see the items for sale on the internet."