Liverpool FC Forum

by **Rimetto_** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:18 pm

i went for Mascha but like most people found it a tuff pick, went for mascha because i fell he keeps the ball better and keeps the ball moving, doesn't have the passing ability of alonso but i think what he does is keeps the ball moving with short easy nut effect passing.

In my opinion they will be used in rotation and this will enable the team to keep the same shape with only minor differences in the style.

by **heimdall** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:19 pm

They are both excellent Midfielders and I love the fact that we have both of them in the team but I voted for Mascha. He is a better player for the Prem whereas Alonso in better in Europe, but it is a very very close call.

As said they are both excellent players and fantastic competition for each other.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:20 pm

IMO Alonso is a better option when we are playing well. He fits seamlessly into a free flowing passing game and dictates play from the back effortlessly. Inversely when we are in a gritty game or are going through a rough spell Mascherano clearly is the player of choice, he breaks up play and spoils almost every counter attack we receive.

Really the comparison between Alonso and Mascherano is unfair because they provides different roles, the true comparison would be between Mascherano and Sissoko. Saying this if It we're a choice of who to partner Gerrard for the majority of the season I would choose Alonso.

by **Leonmc0708** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:21 pm

Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:22 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.

Hmmmm ... Not sure about that Mick. :suspect:

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:22 pm

I can see Alonso being first choice at home, and Masha when we ned it to be tight in the middle of the park...

by **hello_red** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:25 pm

Mascherano for the more physical games and the games we will get hit on the counter. ie against the mancs Mascha should play where as against Chelsea Alonso played very well. Against certian oppo like the mancs its not really about nulifying there midfield because its there attack we should worry about but against Chelsea a strong dominating midfield is needed and Alonso/Stevie gives you that.

by **Sean** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:30 pm

The three of them were selected in the european cup final and we dominated Milan's midfield for most of the game.

by **ConnO'var** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:05 pm

Mascherano for me.

IMO his physical attributes suit the premeirship better and I feel his style is better suited as a foil for Stevie.
I've alway maintained that Alonso is a brilliant player and as a pivot and focal point, he's fantastic. But you can't have 2 central pivot points and with Stevie filling that driving role, Alonso has to take a step back and does the dirty work.... Something he does very well but apparently it blunts his creative, playmaking talents. Gerrard and Xabi in tandem in the middle has never convinced me a being particularly outstanding... good, mind you but Stevie does better with a Hamann type player and the Argie, IMO, is a better partner for him.

by **whylongball?** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:21 pm

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.

i think you are quite right there
I have been critical of alonso for he falls short of the high standard he set himself. However he's to be honest still a very good player.
It was a hard choice but i voted for mascha.

by **LFC2007** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:26 pm

red37 wrote:But look at the girth of Mascherano's Calves next time - they are unbelievably well built.

Purple Aki? :laugh:

Alonso though for the poll, at his best he is pure class and offers a greater range of passing than Mascha can. Alonso can control a game from the midfield with his passing and awareness, he can switch play in an instant and play the killer ball. Mascha is probably the better tackler of the two, and also has incredible game intelligence but overall Alonso offers more in terms of passing, heading and shooting. He just needs to do a little more to get forward IMO, he has a great shot and needs to get into shooting positions more - as he did against Chelsea.

by **babu** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:38 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

fair enough Leon, but people are still gonna talk about the pairing with Gerrard. I've had loads of conversations about this, especially recently.

I really would like to see people's opinion's on this. Good poll topic Bamaga Man.

ps Welcome back LFC2007

by **Sabre** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:47 pm

babu wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

fair enough Leon, but people are still gonna talk about the pairing with Gerrard. I've had loads of conversations about this, especially recently.

I really would like to see people's opinion's on this. Good poll topic Bamaga Man.

ps Welcome back LFC2007

What Leon says I apply it to Gerrard-Alonso or Gerrard-Mascherano comparisons, different roles in the pitch and I wouldn't compare directly (unless you plan to put Gerrard doing less attacking tasks, which I wouldnt)

But where as it's true both mascha and Alonso has different abilities, I do think the comparison of who benefits more the midfield and who pairs better with Gerrard is one worth to argue, as they're asked to do the same role. The right thing would be to ask Steve himself

However like Bad Bob mentioned, in the same role you can give different approaches to a game, so there will be games for Alonso, and there will be games for Mascherano. They won't be "rotations" but technical decissions. We could see some of this in the semifinal against Chelsea last season. Alonso was picked in the away game, but we needed a goal and take more risks in the second leg, and then Mascherano started the game. Mascherano is better to bring the ball up, and can come back faster too. Then Alonso came to the game when we were 1-0 up. Different needs, and Rafa just picked what suited better.

I think we all agree that we have a bless having them both. All coachs would like to have these kind of doubts.

I'll be stubborn though, in the notion that Alonso was not the reason for Gerrard played in the right in the past. But we did discuss that too much in the past so I won't go again. :laugh:

by **Scottbot** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:49 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

Not really. Riise and Crouch aren't competing for the same position.

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:49 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:Its like asking if you would pick:

Riise OR Crouch

Totally different types of players who do totally different jobs for the team.

Whatever.

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