Liverpool FC Forum

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:08 pm

Okay I decided this thread would run a little closer to the Momo, Xabi one.

That thread pretty much concluded that Alonso would be the pick out of the two. So a tougher choice now .... This poll isnt who you want to sell, but who you'd rather see partner Gerrard in midfield.

I'd personally pick the little Argie, for a numerous number of reasons and of course going on recent form, including last seasons form too. I think Mascha has almost proved his worth to us since he's been here. I like him as a player and I like the 'Jack Russell' style of play to his game, where he's snapping away at the heels of our opponents and not giving them time to settle on the ball. At the moment he seems to have more of a purpose about himself and his game in general. For sure some of his passes do go astray at times but on the whole I feel that Mascha has had more of an impact when he's played in midfield than our Spainard has. Alonso for me hasnt rediscovered his form of old and although its still early he looks and did look off the pace towards the tail end of last season IMO. Although in saying that I was happy with his display in midfield against Chelsea on Sunday.

Both players have qualities the other doesnt, while Xabi has the intelligence and quality of pass, to which he can dictate the tempo and rythm of a game. He (Alonso) seems more suited towards the continental style of play where time on the ball suits his style better, so he can look up and pick a pass, Drogba caught him in possession at the begining of the match against Chelsea and that would be the best example to prove that. He has cut it in the Prem in the past we know that, but I think his game has plateaued out and for me he hasnt excelled in his game, which is a shame as I thought he had a bit more potential.

Mascha though has a tenacious bite towards his game, more pace and dare I say it the fitness levels too. I personally think he'd compliment Gerrard better too mainly due to the fact I think he's more mobile and is able to cover more ground, thus I think he'd be more willing or able than Alonso to help Gerrard out a bit more when going forwards and supporting the skipper, which tbh is my only main gripe with Xabi. On his day Alonso is class but he hasnt had many of 'those' days recently and while Mascha's able and willing I'd pick him at present point in time.

by **Rafa D** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:14 pm

Very very difficult but if I was pushed to choose.

Maschereno for me.

He's total quality.

by **Owzat** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:15 pm

Alonso can be a little careless with possession and perhaps hasn't fulfilled early promise. Mascherano hasn't played enough to make a full comparison, although he is a better balanced midfielder than Sissoko (who isn't?)

by **scouser 'til I die** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:18 pm

Very hard, depends on the game in question id say. a physical quick game that needs defensive cover from midfield id choose mascherano, a more slower, technical and intellegent game alonso any day. because we play in the prem and most matches are physical and at fast pace i would have to vote for mascherano.

by **MightyLFC** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:21 pm

I have choose Masch I was hoping some one open a new poll I picked Alonso in the last one (Alonso Or Sissoko) The reason I picked Masch is because Alonso gives the ball away just like Sissoko.
Masch is more of a defence midfield but he supports the defence alot.
I dont know if anybody has noticed but benitez plays him in the small games but no the big ones what is all that about ?
I think some people actually forget that he is a Argentinin International.
But if anybody remebers when he joined Liverpool he said "I can consider myself a Red Devil" The Red devils are them dirty mancs.
But forgetting that i think he is settled well at Liverpool and very pleased concidering he was allways on the bench at West Ham.

by **Sabre** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:22 pm

It's a tough one, and a matter of tastes. You can't say fish is better than meat for eating, it's often a matter of what you like.

It's true that he was caught in possesion not once by Drogba but twice, but then, I don't think that proves he's more suited for the continental game, just a couple of mistakes he shouldn't have done and are more prone to be seen at this stage of season.

It's true both players have things that the other hasn't. Alonso heads the ball better and is a bigger guy and in his position that's important, Mascherano runs with the ball better, Alonso passes the ball and spots long passes better, Mascherano has more agility to make sliding tackles for instance, Alonso's proven to have an enormous strenght in his legs (his goals from his own side of the pitch are a proof of that), or his long range efforts.

We could list this way a number of aspects of the game and I think it would be a leveled comparison. Both are very good midfielders.

But I know what I like and I've voted Alonso

P.S. And I'm sure the poll is gonna be won by Mascherano.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:28 pm

I don't think that proves he's more suited for the continental game, just a couple of mistakes he shouldn't have done and are more prone to be seen at this stage of season

I didnt mean to say that proves he's better suited to the continental game because of that one incident, I think his whole game is better suited to the continental one.

P.S I think this poll will be very close.

by **metalhead** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:31 pm

Alonso by miles.

Mascherano is a quality player, but Alonso is just class! Alonso is a ball winner, an excellent ball winner, the Juventus game back in 2005 proved that!

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:32 pm

I have chosen Alonso. I think Alonso does a lot of work that goes unnoticed. His tackling is excellent, he reads the game very well and what more he is probably the best passer of a football in the Premiership. For me he is the perfect partner for Gerrard, as his solidity at the back gived Stevie the confidence to wander forward (although Mascha also does this well).

Overall I just think Alonso has a touch more class. Saying that there are certain games when Mascha can offer more grit when needed.

Its a great problem to have. 3 world class player fighting for 2 positions. Im happy!

by **red37** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:33 pm

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.

by **scouser 'til I die** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:52 pm

red37 wrote: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

by **MightyLFC** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:55 pm

Ha ha

by **Bad Bob** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:10 pm

No prizes for guessing who I picked in the end but it was very, very tought to choose...and I'm a huge Alonso fan!

The little Argie has tremendous quality, though, and I'd say it's a matter of 'horses for courses.' There will be many games that suit Mascherano better than Alonso and vice versa and I think, as long as Stevie's the nailed on CM partner, that that's a good spot to rotate as the season goes (unless, of course, it really monkeys with the player/team's rhythm and form). For instance, I'd like to see Mascherano play at Sunderland.

I find it interesting, though, that Alonso was picked against Chelsea. Last year, many people felt Alonso played poorly against Chelsea in the 1st CL semi at Stamford Bridge and were convinced that Mascherano had supplanted the Spaniard because of his performances in the return and in the final in Athens. Yet, here we see Rafa selecting Xabi for a huge game against challenging opposition. Maybe that says something about Mascherano's summer exertions but I'd like to think it also suggests that Alonso still brings a lot to the team.

by **red37** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:16 pm

scouser 'til I die wrote:
red37 wrote: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

where's gay lad? im on about his physical stature.

by **stmichael** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:17 pm

Despite his poor performances and losing his usually awe-inspiring passing, there is one thing xabi does that none of our midfielders do. He comes up short into space to receive the ball from defence.

It's evident watching the Gerrard-Mascherano partnership against Toulouse that neither of players consistently give the defence an option to work the ball out of our half with a short pass. Gerrard is often higher up the pitch where he should be, and Masch doesn't come short, or when he does he has less confidence distributing and waits for Gerrard to come back.

As you know, Agger's long passes has taken a slight dip from their usual high standards, and Carragher's passes ot of defence are a bit more ballistic than his best. We're rather unproductive when it comes to playing the long pass forward, which is why many people still have the notion we play a longball game: because quite frankly, with our tendency to pass backwards, we do it a bit too often.

Arbeloa and Finnan can play out of defence much better than our centrehalfs (but Hyypia's passing to feet against Toulouse was breathtaking). Finnan however is more prone to the longball, though it is more accurate. That leaves Arbeloa, and we all know Riise is first choice ahead of him for that slot and Riise punts the ball when he has no ideas.

Xabi is really important to our team in that way, whether he is in form or not. He started well against Chelsea, in my opinion, then lost concentration and faded and as made one clumsy tackle after another and got cought in possession many times.

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