Liverpool FC Forum

[red37]

Thought id put this up here now as the story seems to be getting some legs on it. All barring FIFA's intervention it appears to be in the bag...


Benitez eyes up double swoop Jan 4 2007

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


LIVERPOOL are closing in on January targets Lucas Neill and Javier Mascherano - with an Anfield board meeting today expected to open the door to their arrival.

As the DIC takeover saga nears a successful conclusion at Liverpool, Rafa Benitez is seeking a swift completion of deals which have been a priority for several months.

The Reds boss wants the players in place early during the transfer window, and hopes there will be no delays which may prove costly to his plans.

Both Neill and Argentinian Mascherano are ready to move to Anfield, but the finishing touches are still to be put in place.

Clearly there is a balancing act for the board as they juggle immediate concerns with the long-term strategy of the prospective owners, but the manager is in need of new recruits this month.

Benitez is also hoping to complete a deal for 16-year-old James McCarthy for £100,000 from Hamilton Academicals.

Central midfielder Mascherano's transfer would initially be a loan until the end of the season, which could become permanent if he adapts more successfully at Liverpool than he has at West Ham.

Benitez has identified the 22-year-old as a quality cover for Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso as the Reds enter a crucial period with Momo Sissoko still on the treatment table.

Despite suggestions Mascherano can't play for three clubs in the same season, in fact, he's only played for one during this campaign.

The South American season ended on December 31, 2005, before Mascherano joined West Ham in the summer of 2006.

However, any move would still have to be ratified by FIFA.

Mascherano has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool, and a deal has been agreed with his representatives Media Sports Investments.

Neill is another player who hopes he's played his last game for his current club.

The Aussie defender is suspended for this weekend's FA Cup third round at Goodison Park, and Benitez hopes to have him on board in time for Liverpool's Premiership game at Watford.

Neill would also be eligible for the Champions League, because new rules state at least one player in a squad list who's played in the UEFA Cup can also feature in the premier competition.

As in August, his hopes depend on how keen Blackburn are to hold onto a player nearing a Bosman.

Mark Hughes still wants to sign Stephen Warnock as part of a swop deal. Warnock is also attracting the attention of Sunderland, but would clearly prefer to remain in the Premiership. Benitez eyes up double swoop Jan 4 2007

[EddieC]

I know a lot of people aren't keen on Neill, but I think he would be a good addition to the squad. Notice I said SQUAD, not team. That's all he's being signed as IMO, a squad player who can play anywhere across the back 4.

Mascherano could be a great signing, could be a duff like at West Ham, but I'd be more than happy to take him on loan. If he can settle the lad will be phenominal, and if he can't we're not stuck with him.

BTW Red, love the sig.

[stmichael]

I think both are good signings.

Neill can cover every position in the defence and im sick of seeing Riise getting beat all the time out on the left. Personally i think Rafa will put Neill at left back and push Riise into left midfield. The one thing you are assured of is Neill will give 100% and wont shirk out of any challenges.

I dont think Neill is seen as a short term signing and with Hyppia coming to the end of a superb Liverpool career you have a replacement there to rival Carra and Agger.

Mascherano could and i use the word could be a superb signing for us. This guy has a great range of passes and can hit a ball as well. Forget about his West Ham games this guy can be the real deal.

The manc scum were linked with him in the summer and fees of around £20 million were been quoted.

It willl mean the end of Zenden at will potentially harm players such as Guthrie but if this deal works out if could turn out to be a great bit of business by Rafa.

The problem of who to play out of Gerrard, Alonso, Momo and Mascherano is a great problem to have and instead of having the best midfield trio in Europe we would then have the best midfield quartet.

Sign them both i say.

[aCe']

yea baby... sign em both...
mascherano is a great signing... neil backup so no one actually gives a fck abt him...
mascherano is a decent player with plenty to show... he wasnt given the chance in westham imo... and if given the chance in liverpool can grow to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world (if he isnt already ) .

Sissoko and gerrard and Alonso and Mascherano in one squad... Work it out Rafa without fckin up the team like Mourinho did !
Great signing that mascherano though !

[andy_g]

what worries me about mascherano is his attitude towards being a bit part player - he is obviously very unhappy at west ham, and despite it being difficult to know what is really going on over there, he states that it is mainly because he isn't playing. there is no way he is going to come before alonso and gerrard or even sissoko on a regular basis so he'll play few games as a starter. anyway, i definitely wouldn't pay any kind of big money for him, or maybe any money at all.

[Redman in wales]

If all goes through both players will be good additions to the squad.

As mentioned above I want neil here as a squad player, back up for finnan and alternative to riise.

mascherano is a good player but will will have to judge him soley on performances for us. he didnt cut it for west ham - i read that he's only played 6minutes for west ham since 22 October. Did he just not bother for them?? - i hope he does well here (if he comes) but on current level and form, he is not a first 11 player for me. not yet anyway. but lets see what this boy can really do....

oh and tevez must be livid.... he tries, plays a bit and gets stuck with westham, mascherano doesnt bother, sits around then moves to liverpool!

[7_Kewell]

according to FIFA rules...Mascherano can't move until June.  Besides, i don't honestly think he's cut out for the Premier league...before he went to West ham, he had been touted round chelsea, arsenal and man utd...none of them wanted him.

He's obviously got ability...but wrong attitude for LFC.

[red37]

How about the idea of a 5 across the middle and a hard working striker up top, similar to Rafa's previous methods abroad. Such as CB or Kuyt....(the latter of whom would be freed from the shackles of coming deep for the ball too often.  Instead Kuyt could play much higher up, where i believe him to be most effective..and thrive on the service allowed by the inclusion of a solid holding player, freeing the likes of SG and XA to support the framework.

for instance would anyone fancy this line up (Should, the signings of course go to plan - and quite obviously being a specific set-up for certain games):

                      REINA

      FINANN    JC    AGGER(?)      NEILL

                  MASCHERANO
      GERRARD                    ALONSO
PENNANT                                 RIISE(?)
                      KUYT(?)


Just a suggestion...looks a strong side in any case, should it come off.

[account deleted by request]

Mascherano is a quality player who may or may not adapt to the pace of the prem. Definitely worth a gamble at the prices quoted and on loan even better. He can also play in the CL which is a big plus. Hes young ,talented and an established international, so £5/6 million sounds a bargain.

[stmichael]

Mascherano is a quality player who may or may not adapt to the pace of the prem. Definitely worth a gamble at the prices quoted and on loan even better. He can also play in the CL which is a big plus. Hes young ,talented and an established international, so £5/6 million sounds a bargain.

I agree.

He's still young and there is plenty of time for him to adapt to this league. He certainly has the potential. Precisely the sort of deep lying midfielder we need to replace Hamann and would be perfect alongside any of our current central midfielders.

As I've already mentioned, it all points towards the use of a 4-3-3, like Valencia used to play.

[Smeg]

... neil backup so no one actually gives a fck abt him...

No, whoppers like you don't give a "fck".

[7_Kewell]

"uuder Fifa rules Mascherano is not able to play for another club until the end of June.

Fifa rules state that one footballer cannot play for more than two clubs between 1 July and the end of the following June - and Mascherano has already turned out for Brazilian side Corinthians and West Ham since last summer.

However, national associations are able to apply to Fifa for a dispensation - potentially opening the way for Mascherano to end his frustrating stay at Upton Park.

Italian side Juventus reportedly pulled out of a move to sign Mascherano citing the complications with the player's contract. "

[stmichael]

Fifa rules state that one footballer cannot play for more than two clubs between 1 July and the end of the following June - and Mascherano has already turned out for Brazilian side Corinthians and West Ham since last summer.

Yeah but surely he's only played for one team during this campaign?

The South American season ended on December 31, 2005, before Mascherano joined West Ham in the summer of 2006.

[Redman in wales]

too many ifs for my liking at the moment...

IF he is able to move to to FIFA's ruling
IF he signs for us as long as the IF above is solved
IF he actually shows up for us, and really tries
IF he can adapt at all to the english game  - as 7_kewell said - before he went to West ham, he had been touted round chelsea, arsenal and man utd...none of them wanted him.
only then after 4 if's he will be a good signing.

I want him on loan only though, not 5 or 6 for a player who hasnt adjusted to the english game at all and cant even get into the westham side

I do like red37's line up but you could just as easily:

                     REINA

     FINANN    JC    AGGER(?)      NEILL

                    ALONSO
       GERRARD              SISSOKO     
PENNANT                                 RIISE(?)
                     KUYT(?)

Remembering that momo up an up-the-field battler breaking up play before it reaches our defence, who has many motm awards in the last year and is also young.

(though i also like 3 at the back and 2 up front as there's alot more goal threat)

[7_Kewell]

Fifa rules state that one footballer cannot play for more than two clubs between 1 July and the end of the following June - and Mascherano has already turned out for Brazilian side Corinthians and West Ham since last summer.

Yeah but surely he's only played for one team during this campaign?

The South American season ended on December 31, 2005, before Mascherano joined West Ham in the summer of 2006.

to be honest, i don't fully understand the ruling....but its reported he cannot go until June because he's played for 2 clubs in 1 season?