Liverpool FC Forum

[66-1112520797]

I consider them a bonus of Xabi's game

Same as.

I thought Mascha had another good game yesterday (infact the WHOLE team did) and although at times he can knock a pass waywards, but his tenacious way of playing is something I love to see in a player, and in a player in his postition. Through his tenacious style he set up Torres from what should of been nothing, which ended up a nice neat goal from the Spaniard. He seems to have endless bundles of energy and is very quick.

Can someone clear this up for once and for all .... Is he a permanent signing ?

no he is not permanant yet,he is on a loan type contract again for this year with an option to buy for 16m at the end of the season, the thing that worries me is he will shine and this will alert all the other big teams from europe putting him into a bidding war,

Thanks for clearing that up mate.

[Bad Bob]

Wouldn't swap either of them, TBH, and am happy to see both get plenty of games alongside Gerrard.  Plus, they showed yesterday that, if Stevie's out, they can both play CM without us being overly defensive (yes Derby were poor but we still went forward with verve as a team).

[tubby]

The loan we got him on, when this year does it expire?

[The_Rock]

The loan we got him on, when this year does it expire?

End of this season.....

Really hope we sign him on a perm. Even for 16 million he is a snip. He is the best "anchorman" type of player in the world now. But people also under-rate his performance as an attacking midfielder.

He is capable of scoring (u saw his 2 goals for argentina during the copa america ?) and setting up (one example, torres 1st goal against derby) goals.

It is imperative we sign him to a permanent deal...

[Gracias King Rafa]

is it me or does xabi only seem to shine when gerrard is not in the team?

Good point mate - the derby match a couple of seasons ago(when Gerrard was sent off) springs to mind....

[Sabre]

is it me or does xabi only seem to shine when gerrard is not in the team?

Good point mate - the derby match a couple of seasons ago(when Gerrard was sent off) springs to mind....

I don't think he shines more. Maybe he lurks more the positions to try a range effort, but that's not what I call shine.

[stapo1000]

i cant really decise between the 2. Alonso is class at dropping deep, picking the ball up and spraying passes but can be caught in posession at times. mascherano is very good at covering if a full back or winger is caught out of position or isn't tracking back. Xabi is probably a better choice to accompany gerrard in games where we are expected to dominate posession as he can dictate the paceof the game. i would give mascherano the nod in games against sides with strong midfields or games away from home as he breaks up attacks and stops sides attacking very well. Must say also that they looked a good partnership in the absence of stevie against derby

[tubby]

The loan we got him on, when this year does it expire?

End of this season.....

Really hope we sign him on a perm. Even for 16 million he is a snip. He is the best "anchorman" type of player in the world now. But people also under-rate his performance as an attacking midfielder.

He is capable of scoring (u saw his 2 goals for argentina during the copa america ?) and setting up (one example, torres 1st goal against derby) goals.

It is imperative we sign him to a permanent deal...

Also his passing and general contribution/work rate is always good. Even last season when he wasnt at 100% he still looked great a lot of the time. Somehow though I cant see MSI letting him go for less than 20-25mil. Not that im comparing him with Tevez but we all knew that they were always both going to be expensive so 16mil seems a bit low.

Im probably just playing devils advocate here but do you think Rafa signing all these midfielders is forward planning for if/when Javier leaves? Not that I like to stir but its a possibility.

[stmichael]

Alonso's performance the other day just adds more weight to the claim that we should play three central midfielders more regularly.

[mungi]

well if we have the option to buy masherano will stay. the owners will give the money required for the transfer.

[ConnO'var]

The loan we got him on, when this year does it expire?

End of this season.....

Really hope we sign him on a perm. Even for 16 million he is a snip. He is the best "anchorman" type of player in the world now. But people also under-rate his performance as an attacking midfielder.

He is capable of scoring (u saw his 2 goals for argentina during the copa america ?) and setting up (one example, torres 1st goal against derby) goals.

It is imperative we sign him to a permanent deal...

Also his passing and general contribution/work rate is always good. Even last season when he wasnt at 100% he still looked great a lot of the time. Somehow though I cant see MSI letting him go for less than 20-25mil. Not that im comparing him with Tevez but we all knew that they were always both going to be expensive so 16mil seems a bit low.

Im probably just playing devils advocate here but do you think Rafa signing all these midfielders is forward planning for if/when Javier leaves? Not that I like to stir but its a possibility.

I was waiting for someone to pick that up.... I fear you may be right mate.... It'll be a massive loss imo..... Both Xabi and Masch are great, great players. I just feel that masch is a better match for Gerrard.

IMO opinion, the following combinations work well..

1. Gerrard and Mascherano
2. Xabi and Mascherano
3. Gerrard and Sissoko
4. Xabi and Sissoko
5. Sissoko and Mascherano.... provided we get good service down the wings and Kuyt drops deep.

But Xabi and Gerrard, not so great IMO.

Common denominator here is.....  Mash and to a lesser extent Sissoko..

Not saying we need to get rid of either Stevie or Xabi of course (before someone rips my head off here).... Just that it's imperative that we find a way to keep Masch.... At his age, he's more likely than not, gonna become a RED legend.

[tubby]

Definatley. The fact that we have maintained a good start to the season missing 2 influential players only adds more weight to the fact that we must keep him at all costs. I even think he will get better. Im sure by xmas time we will hear something regarding his contract. I can see some other clubs perhaps trying to come in and poach him. Hopefully the lad is still enjoying life here as much as he said he was last season.

On the other hand like you say its not like we dont have the money. Our net spend was only around 20mil this season after imports and exports so in theory securing him on a permanent basis shouldnt pose a problem. I cant help but think though there is something else mounting up with all these midfielders being signed up. We paid £6Mil for Levia and im sure he wasnt bought as a fringe player, surley he will be eased into the 1st team aswell at some point in the league. Im probably thinking too much into it....

[maguskwt]

Definatley. The fact that we have maintained a good start to the season missing 2 influential players only adds more weight to the fact that we must keep him at all costs. I even think he will get better. Im sure by xmas time we will hear something regarding his contract. I can see some other clubs perhaps trying to come in and poach him. Hopefully the lad is still enjoying life here as much as he said he was last season.

On the other hand like you say its not like we dont have the money. Our net spend was only around 20mil this season after imports and exports so in theory securing him on a permanent basis shouldnt pose a problem. I cant help but think though there is something else mounting up with all these midfielders being signed up. We paid £6Mil for Levia and im sure he wasnt bought as a fringe player, surley he will be eased into the 1st team aswell at some point in the league. Im probably thinking too much into it....

i have the same feeling ever since sissoko got a new contract offer... surely if mascherano is a confirm case benitez might let sissoko go... it is hard to keep 4 midfielders of that calibre

[tubby]

Yeah im sure it must be hard keeping all of them happy. I hope they can all have a bit of humility and just be happy to play their part as im sure all will be used. Its a long campaign and surley with our squad size we will be playing for more than 1 trophey. Sometimes when things are going good its quibbles over playing time which can start to deteriorate things.

[stmichael]

Mascherano interview from the offal:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news....910.htm