Liverpool FC Forum

[Espionage]

cool hand luke, i think sissoko and gerrard > alonso in terms of defending

xabi has the upper hand in passing > sissoko
a bit over in terms of accurancy of gerrard

As a defensive mid-fielder, I think that it is actually more important to be able to read the game, rather then be a better tackler.  Sissoko is told to put a foot in everything, if he can reach it then get to it.  Alonso's job is more specialised, he has to bide his time, read what is going on and then weigh up wheather he should go in or not.
This is why I think that Sissoko will never be used as a defensive midfielder, because giving him the burden of leaving his back 4 exposed would undermine workrate.  If you have someone with a workrate like his then dont put him in situations where he has to worry about those kinds of things.  Its the same reason why Garcia's trickery is better suited to the second striker role rather then right wing (as its further away from the defence).

Alonso is the best defensive midfielder in the premiership IMO.  What is the point of defending well and winning the ball just to put your wingers/strikers pressure by poor passing.  You need someone who will read the game, know where the other team's weaknesses are and try to exploit them with deadly passes.  This might mean the over the top, long balls to Bellamy, Pennant, Gonzalez and Crouch or the short balls to Sissoko and Gerrard.  This is a position whereby you dont necessarily get the glory of the other players but you tend to dictate what goes on, and how your team's tactics work.
This is a thinking man's position, and that is why its Alonso's

[onizukaeikichi]

I sure hope benitez will allow xabi to dictate the tempo of the game next match, which is Everton, which is kinda hard since its usually very tense. And Espionage, i agree sissoko's work rate is amazing that he should be running all over the place while Alonso stays in front of the back 4 spreading 40 yard balls to our wingers which sissoko cant do ( i have seen him did that sometimes though  )

[redmikey]

imperious best... those are the standards that xabi has set him self and why i love seeing him in a lfc shirt stroking the ball around the park

both him and stevie looked at the bench when zenden was brought on as they both know that they were not at 100%,but when they are with momo there as well we will dominate whole games from the centre of the park as we have at are disposal every ingredient of a great midfield in spades,

xabi is the calibure of player that could get into any team in the world and why i am so glad rafa brought him to the club, he will be part of the next great generation at anfield

[crazyhorse]

Good points here.

I am of the opinion that Xabi is the best foreign midfield player in the PL.

He has vision, great range of passing, skill, composure, tactical sense and a suberb temperment. All in all a bit of a gem!

[stmichael]

It certainly puts into perspective when Manure paid £18m for a player who is essentially a "poor mans Xabi Alonso" in Michael Carrick. For what it's worth, despite being a little under par at the moment, the only player of a similar ilk who's as good as him in Europe is Pirlo imo.

We're fortunate that Xabi can still control a game without really being involved in the play to a huge extent.

[Kev Huyton 2006]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

[LFCFan4Life]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

So what you're telling us is that Sissoko can:
-pass the ball better than Xabi, both short and long distances
-tackle better
-keep possession better
-control the tempo of the game better
-show better vision on the pitch
-shoot better
-have better positional sense

than Xabi Alonso?

Momo Sissoko better than Xabi Alonso? Whatever your smoking or inhaling, please stop.

[Lando_Griffin]

I haven't read much of this thread, but I know many on here will disagree, and virtually everyone will think I'm a numbskull for saying this, but I honestly feel that Alonso is our most influential player, and the one we'd miss the most if he left.

I know everyone will go on about Stevie's magnificent abilities, and JC's class defending, but I seriously believe that if we were to lose any of those 3, Alonso's absence would be felt the most.

Gerrard is probably the best player in the World right now, but that  doesn't mean he is the most important.

JC for me is the best defender in England, but we are managing without him.

Alonso - take him out of the side, and we're a shadow of our usual controlled-pressure best.

Alonso is mentally, tacically and technically the best player we have had for as long as I have supported the club.

Gerrard is the heartbeat, but Alonso is the Brain.

I honestly think that is true.

[LFCFan4Life]

I haven't read much of this thread, but I know many on here will disagree, and virtually everyone will think I'm a numbskull for saying this, but I honestly feel that Alonso is our most influential player, and the one we'd miss the most if he left.

I know everyone will go on about Stevie's magnificent abilities, and JC's class defending, but I seriously believe that if we were to lose any of those 3, Alonso's absence would be felt the most.

Gerrard is probably the best player in the World right now, but that  doesn't mean he is the most important.

JC for me is the best defender in England, but we are managing without him.

Alonso - take him out of the side, and we're a shadow of our usual controlled-pressure best.

This is a big statement from me, and I can't believe I am saying it, but I think Alonso is mentally the best player we have had for as long as I have supported the club.

Gerrard is the heartbeat, but Alonso is the Brain.

I honestly think that is true.

I honestly believe every word you said and I agree fully. Currently on today's market, how many players are there that are in the mold of Xabi Alonso? I can only think of one and that is Pirlo, and even with that said I don't think they're exactly the same type of players.

[Lando_Griffin]

I haven't read much of this thread, but I know many on here will disagree, and virtually everyone will think I'm a numbskull for saying this, but I honestly feel that Alonso is our most influential player, and the one we'd miss the most if he left.

I know everyone will go on about Stevie's magnificent abilities, and JC's class defending, but I seriously believe that if we were to lose any of those 3, Alonso's absence would be felt the most.

Gerrard is probably the best player in the World right now, but that  doesn't mean he is the most important.

JC for me is the best defender in England, but we are managing without him.

Alonso - take him out of the side, and we're a shadow of our usual controlled-pressure best.

This is a big statement from me, and I can't believe I am saying it, but I think Alonso is mentally the best player we have had for as long as I have supported the club.

Gerrard is the heartbeat, but Alonso is the Brain.

I honestly think that is true.

I honestly believe every word you said and I agree fully. Currently on today's market, how many players are there that are in the mold of Xabi Alonso? I can only think of one and that is Pirlo, and even with that said I don't think they're exactly the same type of players.

I'm glad you agree mate. I thought I'd get slated for saying it!!!!

Gerrard is fantastic, and he's a scouser.

But for my money Alonso is more valuable to the team Rafa is building, and more fundamental to the title-bid we want to make.

[Lando_Griffin]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

Are you on a mission to talk absolute b*llocks today?

Alonso is spectacularly underrated, while Momo is getting his due plaudits.

Momo, for all his good points, is nowhere near Alonso as a player.

The Spaniard is a master of the understated. Momo is a battling ball-winner.
Don't get carried away.

Trust me - if Rafa had to sell one or the other, Sissoko would be on the first plane out of Liverpool.

[Bad Bob]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

Go back to the lame player nicknames, lad...this analysis lark ain't your cup of tea. 

[Lando_Griffin]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

Go back to the lame player nicknames, lad...this analysis lark ain't your cup of tea. 

Can't we just send him back to his gypo camp, with a hobo-pack on the end of a stick and a pocket full of African flesh-eating beetles?

Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaasssseeeeeee!?!   

[cptrios]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Your original raises some eyebrows to me, as you are suggesting that Xabi Alonso's performances should run like clockwork, like when a clock moves from 2pm to 3pm and strikes on time??

It's poor analogy, the ability of someone like Xabi is that, he does show the passing ability of being accurate and clever, but when he has an average performance in the team, that is the disadvantage of being a human being. You cannot turn it on for every game.

I actually think Sissoko is a better allround midfielder, and would play him in the centre with Alonso OR Gerrard, not both. as they offer pretty much the same.

ALonso is not the complete article and can improve.

In other words we could leave him out, and still do just as well.

The players who really matter, are the players you leave out, and it shows!

Sissoko can do Alonso's job, and better, NO PROBLEM!

Go back to the lame player nicknames, lad...this analysis lark ain't your cup of tea. 

hahahahaha "Dagger Agger"

[Sabre]

St. Michael, I am a relatively new poster her but not new to Football analysis.....

Undoubtfully. Hustler.