Liverpool FC Forum

[redhayesy]

Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

spot on Leon mate, i also think that as both players give us different options, tactically i would choose either depending on who we were playing whether it was home or away
and that"s the best thing about having strength in depth
which will pay off for us this seaeson i"m sure.

[MightyLFC]

Mascha

[red37]

Interesting comment above about Alonso and the strength in his legs. While watching Argentina in the recent copa, i noticed Mascherano came in for some stick from a few 'hefty' tackles by the opposition...the lad gets up and gets on with it more often than not (Likewise Alonso). But look at the girth of Mascherano's Calves next time - they are unbelievably well built.

gay 

what just the type of person to watch a football game to look at the boys run around in thier shorts lol

Grow the f**k up.

[Sabre]

Interesting comment above about Alonso and the strength in his legs. While watching Argentina in the recent copa, i noticed Mascherano came in for some stick from a few 'hefty' tackles by the opposition...the lad gets up and gets on with it more often than not (Likewise Alonso). But look at the girth of Mascherano's Calves next time - they are unbelievably well built.

gay 

what just the type of person to watch a football game to look at the boys run around in thier shorts lol

Grow the f**k up.

Well said.

Modern teams use modern software to analyse the body and muscles, and to correct gestures of the player for freekicks.

It's the ones who have thought of the bodies as something else other than the thing that matters -football- who have to rise questions about their orientations 

[Effes]

Mascherano for me

[AB's Red Army]

Alonso for me. I believe that some perhaps have taken him for granted and expect 60 yard passes and goals every time he's on the ball.

He didn't have a great season last year, but then who did apart from our defenders?

Mascherano is a quality player in his own way, but he doesn't posses the vision or passing ability as Alonso does.

At the end of the day, I guess it's personal preference. Benitez has given him a five year contract, so I think that says something regarding whether or not Rafa still thinks he's a key part of the team.

[Lando_Griffin]

Alonso for me. I believe that some perhaps have taken him for granted and expect 60 yard passes and goals every time he's on the ball.

He didn't have a great season last year, but then who did apart from our defenders?

Mascherano is a quality player in his own way, but he doesn't posses the vision or passing ability as Alonso does.

At the end of the day, I guess it's personal preference. Benitez has given him a five year contract, so I think that says something regarding whether or not Rafa still thinks he's a key part of the team.

Good to see you back, lad.

[AB's Red Army]

Alonso for me. I believe that some perhaps have taken him for granted and expect 60 yard passes and goals every time he's on the ball.

He didn't have a great season last year, but then who did apart from our defenders?

Mascherano is a quality player in his own way, but he doesn't posses the vision or passing ability as Alonso does.

At the end of the day, I guess it's personal preference. Benitez has given him a five year contract, so I think that says something regarding whether or not Rafa still thinks he's a key part of the team.

Good to see you back, lad.

I've missed your rants my fat friend. 

[Lando_Griffin]

Alonso for me. I believe that some perhaps have taken him for granted and expect 60 yard passes and goals every time he's on the ball.

He didn't have a great season last year, but then who did apart from our defenders?

Mascherano is a quality player in his own way, but he doesn't posses the vision or passing ability as Alonso does.

At the end of the day, I guess it's personal preference. Benitez has given him a five year contract, so I think that says something regarding whether or not Rafa still thinks he's a key part of the team.

Good to see you back, lad.

I've missed your rants my fat friend. 

Ay - less of the "fat"! - I'm under 40 stone now!

[LegBarnes]

For me Alonso is a player for finding the space in which to conduct his job. Which he normally does extremely efficiently. He's a great one for finding those two or three yards of unmarked territory in which to advance/control the ball and release an attack. Something that largely goes unnoticed, yet at the same time is vital to the teams fortunes.

Mascherano is different in that, he nullifies/wipes up the opposing possession. Breaking up momentum and offering a real tenacity infront of the back line which greatly enhances our defensive capabilities. The two are completely different beasts in terms of the role they provide. Interesting comparisons are learned when you consider their relative roles within the respective International sides they play in.

For Spain, Alonso can be viewed as the Metronome - the heartbeat of the side controlling play from a deep position.

For Argentina, Mascherano provides the solid base for Cambiasso/Riquelme to spearhead the attack.

Add in Gerrard to those two along with effective options from the flanks and that triumvirate looks capable of being a world-beating trio.

So why do they not play together regularly?  Maybe they will in future at some point..Off the beaten track and along one that has been traversed many a time but, in my view (and in the right setting) this formation would cause any side problems:

             Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

    Alonso          Mascherano
             Gerrard
Kuyt                      Babel
             Torres

now that team would scare any one in the world its what i would be picking week in week out but thats just me.

For me i like them both maccy just edges it due to fact he 3 years younger and is at the same level.

[mungi]

both offer something different. i like alonso. one of the best technqiues at the club.

[Espionage]

For me Alonso is a player for finding the space in which to conduct his job. Which he normally does extremely efficiently. He's a great one for finding those two or three yards of unmarked territory in which to advance/control the ball and release an attack. Something that largely goes unnoticed, yet at the same time is vital to the teams fortunes.

Mascherano is different in that, he nullifies/wipes up the opposing possession. Breaking up momentum and offering a real tenacity infront of the back line which greatly enhances our defensive capabilities. The two are completely different beasts in terms of the role they provide. Interesting comparisons are learned when you consider their relative roles within the respective International sides they play in.

For Spain, Alonso can be viewed as the Metronome - the heartbeat of the side controlling play from a deep position.

For Argentina, Mascherano provides the solid base for Cambiasso/Riquelme to spearhead the attack.

Add in Gerrard to those two along with effective options from the flanks and that triumvirate looks capable of being a world-beating trio.

So why do they not play together regularly?  Maybe they will in future at some point..Off the beaten track and along one that has been traversed many a time but, in my view (and in the right setting) this formation would cause any side problems:

             Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

    Alonso          Mascherano
             Gerrard
Kuyt                      Babel
             Torres

I really like the team that you are putting forward.  Personally I would have Alonso defensive and Masch and Gerrard level with each other and have the triangle that way instead.

Also I think that you could play Crouch in that central striker role with Torres on eiither side for something different.  Hopefully Voronin (have not seen that much of him) is ok for that role as well...

[oakton]

I've picked Mascherano based on the current form.  Alonso is definitely not as sharp as he was when he first joined us.

[tubby]

Alonso isnt the player he was a few seasons ago so we all know what hes capable of. But im putting that down to pre seaosn rust. Im yet to see Mascherano in full form at his best so this thread is a bit hypothetical in that respect.

[Leonmc0708]

Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

Not really. Riise and Crouch aren't competing for the same position.

Neither are Alonso and Mascherano, four will compete for two.

Gerrard is not a given, although lots of the time he will be, he will need to be rested if we are to get the best out of him, last season shows why he needs to have breaks.