Elisha_Scott

He played on the right loads in the treble season under Houllier, Rafa never created Gerrard the right midfielder. Its nothing to do with ego why he doesn't enjoy playing there, its to do with a desire to get involved as much as possible. Players at all levels always want to be involved to the maximum.

Carra would never write a book until he finished would he?

Momo was horrendous, apparently he was still sat in his full kit, speechless, head down a full hour after the final whistle. Just numb.

Everything is fine, few bumps and scrapes, nothing permanent thankfully. But thats enough about the Bentley. No seriously, he visited the lad in hospital and took him a pair of Wayne Rooney's signed boots he wore in the world cup.

Grow up, to be fair, I am well in the minority it seems. I dont care, I have an opinion and I am not bothered if the sheep who follow 'Rafa Benitez' disagree with me. Its just an opinion, no need for snide comments. I have already stated what I feel in this thread, other people are debating it, but most seem to think Mascherano is the business. Fair enough, just not for me.

Dont be daft. I freely admit Hamann is not at his best going forward either. Its not just as an attacking force I am daring to question Mascherano, its as a defensive holding player who gives the ball away so much. Then you say he is better than Hamann, when he is clearly not. In that position getting on the ball and keeping the ball is a major part of your job. Hamann kept the ball like very few midfielders I have seen. He wasn't an all round midfielder but, he was exceptional at what he did. I just dont think Mascherano is.

You watched a lot of Hamann at Bayern Munich did you? I dont think Didi needs defending, his CV speaks volumes. If Mascherano turned out to be as good as him, I would be delighted.

Fair point them. I agree he was very good against Arsenal. I think his tackling and desire are top class, I am just not sure of the other side of his game, if it even exists actually. Maybe as the season wears on he will show more, but I just cant see it. Not sure we need someone in a 4-4-2 who can only play a holding role.

Just stating it again with a slightly different wording doesn't make it any truer. Didi Hamann is and was mustard. Absolute class, Mascherano has a very long way to go in the game to be compared to him.

No chance, he is nowhere near as good as Hamann. Didi is a master of what he does.

Whether Xabi is on his game or not, him being in the team leads to better passing. He gets it short and keeps things moving, involving more players with balls to feet. I know Carra isn't the best passer in the world, but yesterday his hoofing was appalling. Xabi gives him an option to pass to and this helps keeping the ball.

I agree, he seems to concentrate more at left back and his distribution is better. Strange decision to leave Finnan out yesterday as well.

I think we miss Alonso so much. He gets the whole team passing the ball, I am obviously in the minority, but I wouldn't be too bothered if we didn't sign Mascherano permanently going off his performances so far. I dont want to labour it, but just thought I would mention my thoughts.

He gives it away loads. Why would it be a fishing trip? I am not 'questioning him already' I have watched him since he signed and have formed an opinion. He doesn't have enough to his game to be called one of the best. He can tackle and he works his plums off, but I dont think thats enough.

His other performances that he has put in for LFC, I am judging him how he is as a player. I know what type of player he is, if he plays that position his ball retention has to be much, much better than it is. Didi Hamann-esque. I am not picking holes in a particular performance, I have watched him in virtually all the games he has played in for us and I am not convinced he is anything special.

I am struggling to see what all the fuss is about. He works hard and wins tackles, but, he offers nothing offensively, he doesn't keep the ball too well and he is really slow. I am not just judging on yesterdays performance because everyone was s***e. I think he is more suited to playing in a 5 man midfield where he has 2 good attacking players to give the ball to with a short ball. In a 4 where he is required to create more he doesn't convince me.

The captain will be on the bench tomorrow. Seems a bit pointless to me, but hey ho.

St James Park Newcastle, season before last. Crouch Gerrard and Cisse scored. Lad was singing songs and one of them involved a naughty word. Geordie busy dragged him out. Bang out of order.

How does that work mate? What do you need to buy and how do you set it up? Is it easy? Also, what channels do you get?

This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.

When he played for Real Madrid, he had a disco in his house. He used to come home from what he called training and get his mates round and party. He had the lot, smoke machine, mirrored dance floor and massive screens all around the walls with images and tunes from nightclubs in England. Robbie Fowler went to it once.

We were dreadful, the only exception being Dirk, who I thought did OK. I have never seen Steve Finnan look so shaky, hope its just a one off. We started terribly and never recovered, good point in the end. I though Townsend was OK as well.

He is a bit fat. Hardly a great insight, but its true.

No Sami Hyypia yet? He would definitely be in mine, if I could be arsed thinking.