Liverpool FC Forum

by **metalhead** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 1:48 pm

Rafa wants 18m and the clubs who are interested aren't willing to pay that much, so he may end up staying here

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:02 pm

Bad Bob wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:If he can regain his form thats great, but like S@int asked, I'm wondering if he can work with Mascha as a central pairing, and be a little more adventures. As when they were paired together before they looked solid defensively, but there was feck all from them in the center going forward and IMO the team severely suffered because of this.

Hold on, Alonso and Masch were the CM pairing for the vast majority of the time we played 4-2-3-1 during the run-in last season. As most seemed to agree, we played our best football of the season during that spell (10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league with a +17 goal differential, as well as a strong run in the CL). So, I'd hardly say the team 'severely suffered' from the Alonso-Masch pairing.

The sad FACT is though Bob that Masch and Alonso didn't play together for most of those games mate. I checked the last 8 league games of the season and Masch and Alonso only started together once ...... we lost

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:13 pm

Hold on, Alonso and Masch were the CM pairing for the vast majority of the time we played 4-2-3-1 during the run-in last season. As most seemed to agree, we played our best football of the season during that spell (10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league with a +17 goal differential, as well as a strong run in the CL). So, I'd hardly say the team 'severely suffered' from the Alonso-Masch pairing.

Erh Hold on, I'm talking about them in a a 4 4 2. Nothing about them in a 4 2 3 1. As Saint has already said they ACTUALLY didnt play together in that formation very often during our 10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league, a + 17 goal difference .

BTW Saint, havent Alonso and Mascha been paired together in a flat rour midfield. I'm positive they played in that pairing during the first half of the season sometime, if memory serves me correct. I distinctly remember this, because we were void of any creativity and threat through the middle......... I think

by **LFC2007** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:21 pm

Bamaga man wrote:Most people know whos the better DM out of the two.

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:23 pm

LFC2007 wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:Most people know whos the better DM out of the two.

The rash, tis not funny.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:35 pm

Bamaga man wrote:
Hold on, Alonso and Masch were the CM pairing for the vast majority of the time we played 4-2-3-1 during the run-in last season. As most seemed to agree, we played our best football of the season during that spell (10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league with a +17 goal differential, as well as a strong run in the CL). So, I'd hardly say the team 'severely suffered' from the Alonso-Masch pairing.

Erh Hold on, I'm talking about them in a a 4 4 2. Nothing about them in a 4 2 3 1. As Saint has already said they ACTUALLY didnt play together in that formation very often during our 10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league, a + 17 goal difference .

BTW Saint, havent Alonso and Mascha been paired together in a flat rour midfield. I'm positive they played in that pairing during the first half of the season sometime, if memory serves me correct. I distinctly remember this, because we were void of any creativity and threat through the middle......... I think

Do you mean the period where Alonso was out for 4 months with a broken foot?

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:38 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:
Bamaga man wrote:
Hold on, Alonso and Masch were the CM pairing for the vast majority of the time we played 4-2-3-1 during the run-in last season. As most seemed to agree, we played our best football of the season during that spell (10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league with a +17 goal differential, as well as a strong run in the CL). So, I'd hardly say the team 'severely suffered' from the Alonso-Masch pairing.

Erh Hold on, I'm talking about them in a a 4 4 2. Nothing about them in a 4 2 3 1. As Saint has already said they ACTUALLY didnt play together in that formation very often during our 10 wins, 2 draws and a loss in the league, a + 17 goal difference .

BTW Saint, havent Alonso and Mascha been paired together in a flat rour midfield. I'm positive they played in that pairing during the first half of the season sometime, if memory serves me correct. I distinctly remember this, because we were void of any creativity and threat through the middle......... I think

Do you mean the period where Alonso was out for 4 months with a broken foot?

No another period.

by **Sabre** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:03 pm

I find a bit surprising this Alonso-Mascherano incompatibility one, but at least it's a new one.

It's surprising especially when you remember AC Milan final, and Chelsea semifinal the previous season, and when you saw that pairing in the important CL matches of this season too, bar the one in which Xabi was dad for the first time.

That pairing was the chosen one for the top games, and you just don't choose your least compatible pairing for those top games.

If you want to put it another way, if Alonso-Mascherano weren't a very solid pairing, you wouldn't have seen ever Gerrard on the right or as an attacking midfielder behind Torres, you would have seen playing him CM most of the time. But the pairing was solid enough to spare Gerrard from some defensive duties and become him Torres' best assistant and many people agreed that under a 4-4-2, our strongest combination was with Gerrard on the right.

No, I think they're perfectly compatible. You could ask perhaps one of them to go to attack more often, especially under one striker system, but in fact I think it's one of the strongest pairings in the league.

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:05 pm

I find a bit surprising this Alonso-Mascherano incompatibility one, but at least it's a new one.

Listen, I havent said there "incompatible" try not to put words into peoples mouths please, your twisting the arguement by doing that. If your playing AC or Chelsea in a cup match and want to keep it tight and solid play them. If your playing run of the meal Prem teams, and are pressing the oppo looking for goals then dont (not in 442/ 4231 Yes 442 NO, cannot make it any clearer).

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:15 pm

Not really a lot of league games LAST SEASON when they started together. West Ham 4-0 and Derby 6-0 being the highlights of them starting together. Alonso's injury and Masch's suspension and late arrival at the start of the season meant they didn't play together much at all.

The previous season we seemed to have serious problems with creativity when they played together, so maybe there was also a reluctance from Rafa to play them together as well?

Obviously Rafa seemed to think the pairing has had some problems or he wouldn't have been so eager to sign Barry at Alonso's expense.

by **66-1112520797** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:18 pm

The previous season we seemed to have serious problems with creativity when they played together, so maybe there was also a reluctance from Rafa to play them together as well?

I rememeber them being paired for a period at some point (couldnt remember when exactly) and like I said it just looked void of ideas and spark in the middle of the park.

Pair them together in a 4-2-3-1 By all means, but in a flat four midfield it didnt work especially when we were after three points IMO.

Basically, I'm not keen on Alonso in a flat four midfield. I personally dont think it benefits him or the team.

I'd rather Mascha in a flat four for numerous reasons, I only see Alonso being effective when sitting infront of the back four. In a 4-2-3-1 formation. But when its a flat four, he needs to be more mobile and and just cannot sit, as he needs to aid in an attack every now and then and he just simply doesnt do it enough for me.

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:48 pm

Bamaga man wrote:
The previous season we seemed to have serious problems with creativity when they played together, so maybe there was also a reluctance from Rafa to play them together as well?

I rememeber them being paired for a period at some point (couldnt remember when exactly) and like I said it just looked void of ideas and spark in the middle of the park.

Pair them together in a 4-2-3-1 By all means, but in a flat four midfield it didnt work especially when we were after three points IMO.

Basically, I'm not keen on Alonso in a flat four midfield. I personally dont think it benefits him or the team.

I'd rather Mascha in a flat four for numerous reasons, I only see Alonso being effective when sitting infront of the back four. In a 4-2-3-1 formation. But when its a flat four, he needs to be more mobile and and just cannot sit, as he needs to aid in an attack every now and then and he just simply doesnt do it enough for me.

Spot on Bamaga :nod

I think to get the best out of Alonso in a 4-4-2 you need good wide players, and maybe a more attacking partner than Masch, while not quite as attacking as Gerrard

by **puroresu** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:47 pm

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3955304,00.html

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has refused to rule out the possibility of selling Xabi Alonso.

The Spain international appears to have become the victim of the Reds' continued pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

He has the full support of the Anfield faithful, though, who backed him throughout Friday's friendly against Lazio, while also displaying their opposition towards any move for Barry.

However, Benitez appears to have turned a deaf ear to the views from the terraces, admitting that a suitable offer could yet see him part with a popular member of his squad.
Price

"We knew Alonso was a very good player and as a result he had a good price (on his head). We had offers, but they were not enough so we decided he needed to stay with us," said the Spanish coach.

"It could be that he does stay with us.

"For me it is not a problem if he stays or not. He can stay, we always have felt he is a good player.

"We are only talking about a very, very good price. He is a good player, if he is not going to bring a good price then it is very simple, easy to understand.

"I heard the crowd, obviously. We know now, as we knew before, that he could stay with us."

Possibilities

Benitez needs to sell in order to fund any potential bid for Barry and admits that there are likely to be changes within the Reds camp before the new season gets underway.

"It is not positive that we may not have the players we want here before the Champions League game," he said.

"But the transfer window closes at the end of August, we will try to do our best to bring in the players to improve us by then.

"I try to do the best for my club with the possibilities that you have, I have done this every year since I have been here. And I am trying to do the same for this coming season.

"I do not feel any more pressure, every season is the same. We have a good squad, better than before, but we can improve a little bit more."

Rafa aint exactly saying he would like to keep Alonso.

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:54 pm

"For me it is not a problem if he stays or not.

Not exactly a vote of confidence for Alonso. Alonso supposedly wanted to know where he stands....... I guess now he does!

by **puroresu** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:59 pm

s@int wrote:
"For me it is not a problem if he stays or not.

Not exactly a vote of confidence for Alonso. Alonso supposedly wanted to know where he stands....... I guess now he does!

Alonso has conducted himself better than the majority of players would. It seems obvious the Manager would rather have him gone but he aint been able to sell him at the right price.

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