bigmick wrote:Much more important I think than the argument about who is the better player is the fact that they showed yesterday that they can play together. Alonso showed a willingness to come out of the pocket and if he can do that, they can be a pairing with Gerrard on the right. I remain convinced that the second part of that equation is what we would ahve to do to field our best team.
bigmick wrote:Much more important I think than the argument about who is the better player is the fact that they showed yesterday that they can play together. Alonso showed a willingness to come out of the pocket and if he can do that, they can be a pairing with Gerrard on the right. I remain convinced that the second part of that equation is what we would ahve to do to field our best team.
s@int wrote:One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the pairing is the change yesterday. Usually Mascherano plays deeper, with Alonso (as the supposedly more creative passer) playing higher up the pitch. Yesterday Mascherano played higher up the pitch while Alonso sat deeper (probably due to his injury). I thought it worked well with both players managing to get forward at times without leaving the cupboard bare behind them. Mascher was almost in "Sissoko" mode yesterday breaking up play, obviously his better passing(than Sissoko) allowing him to link play as well.
Unfortunately due to Alonso's injury we will have to wait some time before we find out if this was a "one off" or if this is indeed the way forward.
Sabre Posted on Oct. 30 2007,13:30
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Quote (s@int @ Oct. 29 2007,15:14)
One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the pairing is the change yesterday. Usually Mascherano plays deeper, with Alonso (as the supposedly more creative passer) playing higher up the pitch. Yesterday Mascherano played higher up the pitch while Alonso sat deeper (probably due to his injury). I thought it worked well with both players managing to get forward at times without leaving the cupboard bare behind them. Mascher was almost in "Sissoko" mode yesterday breaking up play, obviously his better passing(than Sissoko) allowing him to link play as well.
Unfortunately due to Alonso's injury we will have to wait some time before we find out if this was a "one off" or if this is indeed the way forward.
At some point of the game I saw that and mentioned it.
A few times they swapped the roles, Mascherano was on the left of Alonso and when the ball came from Alonso's side it was Alonso addressing the incoming player and Mascherano effectively making the cover behind Alonso, but the main role of Mascherano's game, was that "Sissoko" role, in which he excelled.
When Rafa brought Arbeloa, a player with CB attributes to the game, the point was leaving Mascherano and Gerrard doing what they had been doing all the game. But that gamble didn't work out, obviously.
Now, probably Mascherano will be given the holding midfielder role, the role Alonso started the game. It's not an easy nor grateful role, so I just hope people know to acknowledge that. Mascherano lacks a bit of height and heading abilities to be the perfect man for the role in *my* book of tastes, but I think he's the best man of the squad available to do so, and he can do it more than well.
I think we must see Mascherano as a holding midfielder, Gerrard in the right, and then choose Sissoko or Lucas depending on the game. If you're antirotationist, then no problem, just select Mascherano and Lucas. But bear in mind that Mascherano will have to be sacrificed defensively.
red--sangria wrote:Liverpool's Xabi fears lengthy lay-off
- November 07, 2007
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso may be missing until the New Year.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez sent the midfield star to specialists in Spain for a second opinion on his foot injury.
Alonso, 25, missed six weeks with a broken metatarsal - and then suffered the same injury in his left foot during his comeback match against Arsenal 10 days ago.
Anfield medics originally expected Alonso would be back in action this week.
But the injury has shown no signs of improvement so Alonso was sent for a scan on Monday - and told he might not be fit until the end of December.
Alonso admitted: "I didn't expect to be out for more than six weeks like I have been. The relapses are a shame."
I CAN'T BELEIVE,
red--sangria wrote:Liverpool's Xabi fears lengthy lay-off
madeupnonsense.com - November 07, 2007
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