Mascherano

[Leo No.8]

...for most of the game. Couldn't pass wind.

 

But I tell you what, I liked him more than ever at the end of the latest poor (if slightly better than Marseille) performance. He wanted it more, and gave more of himself in that last 15 minutes than the rest of the players from both teams on the pitch put together.

 

Racing round like a lunatic even more than normal (including getting well forward several times and having a good effort on goal), throwing in tackles, going absolutely mental at the ref and tapping his imaginary watch for time wasting, taking charge by telling Torres to stay on the half way line when he was coming back for a corner late on - he was like a man possessed.

 

The smallest man on the pitch stood up to be counted big time despite his lack of form in that game and recent weeks, which is an incredibly tough thing to do when you're low on confidence and takes monumental character. It's what we need desparately from our key players in the next few games starting with of course The Derby.

 

The last few games have been so devoid of anyone taking responsibility for changing the course of the game, and in particular the man we've always relied upon to do exactly that needs to do so again if he wants that one trophy he's missing from his collection - Steven Gerrard.

 

I don't say this lightly but it looked like it meant more to the little man playing next to him from half way across the globe than it did to Stevie on Saturday.

 

I'm absolutely certain it doesn't, that it's struggling for form after injury which is causing Gerrard to look sulky and half the player of recent seasons, but he needs to forget that and just throw himself completely into that Derby game from the first minute. These next few games are absolutely huge after a bright start has been levelled out by a poor run of results and more worryingly some dire team performances.

 

One thing for sure is that Mascherano won't be pulling out of anything - even on a bad day (of which he's had a couple lately) he's doing the shirt proud for me. He absolutely can pass the ball well and will do so again, but for the time being he's giving everything he can to the team despite a loss of form which is all we can ask.

Edited October 9, 2007 by Leo No.8

[owenthomas]

totally agree Leo, said similar about Mascherano to my brother while we were watching it..

[honourablegeorge]

Aye. I said yesterday that I took a lot of pleasure in us pulling a point out of the Spurs game - there's still a bit of fight and character in the squad, even if they can't pass water at the moment.

[The_Adder]

The Man is a class act. There is no one better in his position in the world IMHO. The thing with him is his best position is probably at the anchor of a 3-man central midfield (like Makelele at the Chavs) where he as two ball players in front of him (Alonso & Gerrard) to give it two. I think that central midfield would literally be the best midfield in the world.

 

Torres up top supported by Babel left and AN OTHER on the right, prefer Kuyt.

[Owen1978]

Like i said previously even on bad day masch will still get involved - get the tackles ad generally be busy. I've got no sympathy with stevie at the moment, he should have never played for england when he was injured and should have rested so he could be fit and ready for us!

[Cooldude]

His effort at the end was terrific. If only all the players played with the same sort of urgency

 

Things didn't work for him and his passing wasn't up to standards, but he still raced forward and try to make things happen and got a very good chance himself.

 

I wish he'd do that all the time though, not just when we're behind.

[fred milne]

Agree with that. Despite his passing being off, Mascherano showed character on Sunday.

 

Gerrard needs to take a look at himself. He had a decent first half but went completely AWOL after half time. Its just not good enough.

 

Did he really need to play those two games for England? Its not as if his position in the team is in serious jeopardy.

[_00_deathscar]

Agreed with that - he did at the end what Gerrard should have been doing.

[Rimbeux]

Yeh, have said similar, was really impressed with his leadership, tactical brain and character. It wasn't headless stuff, but a kind of controlled mania, another level of performance he forced himself into for the situation.

[beejay]

The Man is a class act. There is no one better in his position in the world IMHO. The thing with him is his best position is probably at the anchor of a 3-man central midfield (like Makelele at the Chavs) where he as two ball players in front of him (Alonso & Gerrard) to give it two. I think that central midfield would literally be the best midfield in the world.

 

Torres up top supported by Babel left and AN OTHER on the right, prefer Kuyt.

 

With the personnel at our disposal (and having seen how badly we have missed Xabi Alonso) I'm starting to believe we would be a better side with this formation. Don't agree about Kuyt on the right, though.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

HNHM

[Coyler]

Did he really need to play those two games for England? Its not as if his position in the team is in serious jeopardy.

Club vs country.

 

Finnan's choice of words about his forthcoming matches were nice:

 

Finnan joins the FAI party today for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Germany and Cyprus, one of many Liverpool players on duty for the next fortnight.

 

And the right-back added: “I don’t know whether the international break has come at a good time or not.

 

“Sometimes it’s good to get away and play a couple of international matches, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

[Kite]

Club vs country.

 

Finnan's choice of words about his forthcoming matches were nice:

Finnan is a good candidate for International Retirement now a la Carra. With "Stan" insisting on playing him out of position to accommodate the great John O'Shea, he's on a hiding to nothing with the Ireland setup, just exposing himself to injury and confidence sapping performances.

 

Anyhow, good to hear Masch played above his poor form. It's all you can ask of a player really but it is inevitable, as others have done here, to make comparisons with Gerrard. It doesn't make sense that it is Masch doing the organising and leading, it should be Gerrard.

[Benzo-13]

Said the exact same to a mate Sunday night..

Jesus he gave it a lot even though he was playing below par..

 

He was a hero out there.. Takes guts and determination to try and play your normal game after time/time again messing up. He's better with Xabi beside him and Gerrard as an inside-right.

[liveabiglife]

I have been seriously impressed with Mascherano ever since he arrived. The guy's work rate is phenomenal and he is a really enthusiastic player. I personally reckon that he has the character to drive the team forward, and it was noticable that in the last 20 on Saturday he was all over the shop, and the whole team tempo seemed to pick up - whether that was down to him, or if it just picked up anyway, and he even moreso, I dunno, but he was pretty impressive.

 

The only thing that lets him down is his distribution - he could learn from Xabi on that one. It'll be interesting to see if he moves up another level when he gets himself on the scoresheet - he doesn't seem short on confidence, but I wonder if that will propel him even higher? When I eventually get the Euro shirt, I'm having 20 on the back.

[Rimbeux]

Hopefully it's a moment he can kick on from and be one of the big characters in the squad, because we need them. Up to now it seems he's been in his shell a bit outside of big games, always busy, but not in charge

[Knox_Harrington]

He's better with Xabi beside him and Gerrard as an inside-right.

I don't disagree we might be better with that lineup but I can't remember ever having seen it.

[Benzo-13]

I don't disagree we might be better with that lineup but I can't remember ever having seen it.

 

Chelsea in the CL? I'm sure I saw it last year?

[Knox_Harrington]

Chelsea in the CL? I'm sure I saw it last year?

It was dreadful away leg. We looked more likely after Xabi's introduction second half in the home leg.

[Benzo-13]

It was dreadful away leg. We looked more likely after Xabi's introduction second half in the home leg.

 

Were the whole three playing then??

It's a rarely seen but probably our best set-up in the middle. Needs some major width on the left and a rampaging right back to be seen at its best though.

Edited October 9, 2007 by Benzo-13

[mooks]

His effort at the end was terrific. If only all the players played with the same sort of urgency

 

Things didn't work for him and his passing wasn't up to standards, but he still raced forward and try to make things happen and got a very good chance himself.

 

I wish he'd do that all the time though, not just when we're behind.

He was doing exactly what he should have been doing for the majority of the game. It was only when things became desperate that he started to push forward.

 

Unless Stevie is going to stay back and play Masch's role it would be suicide for him to play like that the entire game.

[Kindred]

It wasn't rafas decision for him to push on - he took it upon himself to do it.

[mooks]

It wasn't rafas decision for him to push on - he took it upon himself to do it.

Don't see how you know that - or even if you're criticising or praising Mascherano.

 

I will say one thing. When Masch was having difficulty with his passing early on, a couple of those passes that went astray were to Gerrard. It seemed Gerrard wasn't anticipating the pass and in those situations it is usually six of one, half a dozen of the other who is at fault. There is no way Masch would hold down a starting place in the Argentine team if he couldn't pass. As has been mentioned by everyone on this thread only one of our central midfielders gave it his all on Sunday. I think it's the other guy who needs to ask himself why the partnership isn't working.

[Kindred]

Don't see how you know that - or even if you're criticising or praising Mascherano.

 

I don't claim any great inside knowledge. Rafa said so in an interview on eseason!

 

No criticism or praise was intended of anyone, merely thought it was interesting as you rarely get that kind of info from managers about tactical decisions within a game. No big deal though.

[Guest ziggystardust]

I completely agree with leo - ive really been impressed with the mascher since he come but on sunday he stood up and was counted when it really matter. He was poor for 60 mins then excellent for the last twenty constantly looking for the ball and nearly scored on 2 occasions. Gerrard would usually be this man but he went hiding slightly i felt - at least now we now if stevie cant delivery at least someone else can pick up the mantle.

 

Also i thought babel was the same, came on and was always looking to get the ball and make things happen. This was the saving grace for me and gave me belief we will find winning form again soon.