Pedro Maradona wrote:problem is Mascherano is a defensive midfielder, (south american teams always have a reliance on a playmaker the number ten who effectively runs the game and a grafter, mascherano is a grafter, (IMO the best defensive midfielder in the world) Mascherano is protecting the back four especially with the lack of pace with our centre backs. I think he has the ability to be more offnsive minded but i think Rafa is saying no ur primary job is protect the centre backs this leaves a bit of a gap in the centre of the field where Steven Gerrard is meant to be Steven Gerrard is not a playmaker, a fabulous footballer whose best work is in the final third of the pitch, Alonso is more of a playmaker and was badly missed the last few games. I think Agger and Alonso are vital to this team and it has shown the last few games. Sissoko is a centre midfilder who is the ultimate grafter. so we lack the playmaker in the form of Gary MacAllister or a Juan Roman Riquelme....play gerrard off of a lone centre forward buy riquelme and have mascherano as your defensive midfielder.....
I agree with Pedro. When Mascherano plays for Argentina he seems much more attack minded. He is constantly closer to the box and he even scored a couple for Argentina en the last Copa America. With Gerrard in the team I guess the manager tells him to stay behind and give more space for Gerrard to play and without Agger in the team, he has to stay even further back to compensate hyppas lack of pace.