Liverpool FC Forum

[Effes]

Can someone clarify to me what Alonso's role is please?

Control the tempo of the game, control the passing game.

Sorry mate, but that seems like Match of the Day footybabble.

OK, control the tempo of the game - when did he last do that?
Not many players have ever been able to REALLY do it in recent years. Keane was one of the best...but

"Control the passing game" WTF?

If you look closely when he's on the ball, he is pulling the strings in midfield. He's the one making the passess and trying to find players open in the opposition's box.

Prime example is his pass to Finnan this season against Newcastle at Anfield that led to a goal.

He hasn't been as good as he was last season but without him in our side, we would be very average in midfield.

I'm not trying to rubbish what you're saying AB but...

Are you saying he's the one who makes the passes?
So, man-mark Xabi and we're fukked!?
That pass to Finnan was a great pass, but surely you'd expect a midfielder to make such passes anyway?

I dunno..... I get lost sometimes when people talk like the TV pundits - it just seems they're making a science out of it all.

I think Xabi has great skill, but think him and Ste G would be formidable in the middle.

We need that strong spine.

With Sissoko running round as he does is it not a waste to have your other CMid being defensive too?
Neither of them get into the box enough.

[Effes]

The next time you question what he brings to the team just watch this video and it will tell you everything:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....search=

Re read my post - I asked what his role is.
Didn't question what he brings to the team.

Just wondered what kind of instructions Rafa must give to him.

[babu]

Not knocking Alonso, he is getting back to some of his best footy.

But i was wondering, in the arsenal game and a few other games this season our tactics seem a little bit predictable. I'll be the first to admit my footie knowledge is not sound, but...

For example, Reina rolls the ball to Hyypia, he passes the short ball to alonso (deep in our own half), alonso holds the ball, takes a few steps and passes back to Hyypia (perhaps because everyone further up is being marked, sometimes hard to tell on the tele), Hyypia is then allowed to run upfield a bit, then he hoofs the ball forward to Kuyt, Crouch, etc.

I think arsenal allowed Hyypia to do that, because it suited them. I just wished that alonso played the ball out wide a little more. Now i know that gonalez wasn't playing that well, but even in the first half hardly any balls got to him.

Just as an aside, with Crouch playing the commentators believe that we should lob balls to head for the knockdown. I reckon that's a limited tactic, we should be alternating between with balls the feet as well, especially close to the box. Crouch is very tricky to deal with if a ball comes at speed to his feet in the box.

that's my 2 cents

[Espionage]

Can someone clarify to me what Alonso's role is please?

Alonso is a defensive midfielder, anybody that argues anything different should take a good look at what he does next game.  He sits in front of the back 4 while Momo used to run around everywhere.  The reason why he is so effective is usually if you put someone in this kind of role then they are not able to have an impact on the game due to their defensive duties.  He plays the same role that Hamann played, his pressence meant that fullbacks could go forward and he could sit just in front of the CBs (effectively making a 3-5-2 formation).  Dont underestimate Alonso's defensive work and tackling ability as he is one of the main reasons why our defense was so good last year.  People talk about a good back 4 but the way that we play bringing Finnan and Riise up Alonso is basically a defender.  This is a very hard position to play as its easy to get sucked into going forward and leaving the CBs to dry after FBs have gone forward.

So in conclusion Alonso is an pure defensive midfielder that is effective defensively, and due to his large range of passing, still has a big impact offensively. 


One other thing, this is very very very different to the role that Momo plays as he is not a defensive midfielder in the truest sense.  He is a box-to-box.......enforcer is the word that I will use.  I am really sick of seeing people draw up their formations with Momo as a defensive midfielder as he has never played there.

[Effes]

Hmm, I just don't believe Momo-Alonso in the middle is the answer.

But then maybe last season would indicate otherwise............

Buying Momo and selling Hamman was a weird move IMO, the dosh used for Momo could have helped getting quality on the right instead of Pennant.

[babu]

Buying Momo and selling Hamman was a weird move IMO, the dosh used for Momo could have helped getting quality on the right instead of Pennant.

huh?

Momo has been one of our better purchases. Hamman needed to be moved on.

Pennant, no matter what you thought of him before he signed, i reckon well all thought his performances would be better that what he's shown.

[AussieKopite]

Alonso has a couple of quiet games and the knockers come out... typical.

sounds good to me like.

good call.

[66-1112520797]

Can someone clarify to me what Alonso's role is please?

If you need clarification of that, you should be watching another sport.

[Effes]

Can someone clarify to me what Alonso's role is please?

If you need clarification of that, you should be watching another sport.

Was raising the question for debate rather for my own knowledge.

[66-1112520797]

Can someone clarify to me what Alonso's role is please?

If you need clarification of that, you should be watching another sport.

Was raising the question for debate rather for my own knowledge.

Well then, the answer would still be the same then.

[Sabre]

Re read my post - I asked what his role is.

Everytime one of the L/R backs go forward he's the one that sacrifices and makes the cover, where as others lurk the area and take the praise and the glory. Of course you don't see that often in TV as the cameras don't take so often general perspectives.

He dictates the tempo. In case you don't know what that means, he decides wether it's a good idea to start a counter, or rather to slow down the game and build more slowly.

His numbers as a ball recoverer must be between the best of all the major leagues. Where as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the major teams are playing nowadays with a DOUBLE defensive midfielder (Diarra-Emerson couple for instance), he holds the defensive midfielder role alone in Liverpool.

And instead appreciating that fact he's slated for it. Apart from all that he does he must score goals from outside the are, and deliver 50M passes otherwise he'll get stick. Ah well.

We need Alonso. And if you ask me we MISS Hamman.

[LittleHobo]

i agree with this guy

i dont think alonso hasnt improved since he arrived here 2 + years ago

in many ways he has gone backwards (take away his wonder goal this season and he has been poor, never dominating a match like a great midfielder should) and i feel at times he ducks out of getting stuck in and battling when we need to battle (away from home)

i would sell him to real or barcelona for 20 million then bring in

joey barton - to replace hamann

kevin nolan

guys who will give 100% every game

[66-1112520797]

i agree with this guy

i dont think alonso has improved since he arrived here 2 + years ago

in many ways he has gone backwards (take away his wonder goal this season and he has been poor, never dominating a match like a great midfielder should) and i feel at times he ducks out of getting stuck in and battling when we need to battle (away from home)

i would sell him to real or barcelona for 20 million then bring in

joey barton - to replace hamann

kevin nolan

guys who will give 100% every game

Oasis 

[LittleHobo]

this is my honest opinion

i dont think alonso battles enough

[Smeg]

This may have been said and argued before and this post is not meant as a doom a gloom thread but. Imagine for one minute Momo was fit, would Raffa ever drop Alonso and give Stevie and Momo the middle of the park in a 4-4-2 formation. Alonso is i feel not firing as he can and maybe he should be rested.

Thought please 4-4-2 with Momo and Stevie and get some big bucks for Alonso.