Our midfield made more tackles, & more successful tackles, than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Mascherano
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Our midfield made more tackles, & more successful tackles, than any other team in the Premiership this season.
IMO, since we shifted Gerrard to the holding midfield role and he settled into that position, our central midfield has improved by leaps and bounds. Gerrard was a defensive liability when played in the more forward midfield rank because he didn't have the speed and quickness to press nor stop opponents bursting past him.
The quartet of Henderson, Allen, Coutinho and Sterling individually have a good balance of offensive and defensive skills, which means that they can disrupt plays as well as initiate them. Where Mascherano used to shine for us, is where the quartet play now. He's not a DM in the Makelele or Didi role, but a midfield destroyer who was very good at disrupting opponents' flow. However, we've moved on from that now as our current system requires the forward CMs to be able to press, defend, win the ball and also create. It's the last part where Mascherano falls short, unless he's improved so much at Barca.
Mascherano played a rank deeper where Gerrard plays now would not play to his strengths as he's neither a deep playmaker, nor is he a cool-headed stopper and leader who will hold his position and not go scampering around. So right now, while he'd be a better man-on-man defender than Lucas (by virtue of his better strength, mobility and aggression - he'd probably be giving away as many silly fouls in bad areas), I don't think we get that much more from having him in the team. Gerrard is going to play the bulk of the minutes, and as long as Lucas doesn't play in the forward CM ranks, he's actually pretty serviceable still where Gerrard plays, or as Gerrard's partner when we switch to having 2 CMs at the back for more solidity (bar the brainfade fouls).
I know some say that Mascherano's not as bad a passer as others think, but I cannot shake off that period in my mind during Benitez's final season, when he played Lucas and Mascherano in midfield together. Mascherano ended up being the one ferrying the ball and linking the defence and attack, and we were awful in that period in terms of our attacking play.
The quartet of Henderson, Allen, Coutinho and Sterling individually have a good balance of offensive and defensive skills, which means that they can disrupt plays as well as initiate them. Where Mascherano used to shine for us, is where the quartet play now. He's not a DM in the Makelele or Didi role, but a midfield destroyer who was very good at disrupting opponents' flow. However, we've moved on from that now as our current system requires the forward CMs to be able to press, defend, win the ball and also create. It's the last part where Mascherano falls short, unless he's improved so much at Barca.
Mascherano played a rank deeper where Gerrard plays now would not play to his strengths as he's neither a deep playmaker, nor is he a cool-headed stopper and leader who will hold his position and not go scampering around. So right now, while he'd be a better man-on-man defender than Lucas (by virtue of his better strength, mobility and aggression - he'd probably be giving away as many silly fouls in bad areas), I don't think we get that much more from having him in the team. Gerrard is going to play the bulk of the minutes, and as long as Lucas doesn't play in the forward CM ranks, he's actually pretty serviceable still where Gerrard plays, or as Gerrard's partner when we switch to having 2 CMs at the back for more solidity (bar the brainfade fouls).
I know some say that Mascherano's not as bad a passer as others think, but I cannot shake off that period in my mind during Benitez's final season, when he played Lucas and Mascherano in midfield together. Mascherano ended up being the one ferrying the ball and linking the defence and attack, and we were awful in that period in terms of our attacking play.
He's one of the top 5 defensive midfielders in the world in a position in which we have an ageing Gerrard and Lucas as cover. He's a mutilple league and Champions league winner who, at 29, is likely right in his prime. He's played in the premier league at a high level and has an understanding of both the club and similar methods to Rodgers'. He's also proven adept at playing centre back for a possession-based side.
For 10m or thereabouts it's a no-fucking-brainer.
For 10m or thereabouts it's a no-fucking-brainer.
We would not look like the rusty old sieve that we do at the back with Mascher in the team. Anyone that thinks Gerrard is particularly good in that role is deluding themselves , if he was, we wouldn't have shipped so many stupid goals.
Anyone that also thinks Gerrard is going to be able to play much more than half of next seasons games is crackers too.
Lucas to Napoli, and Mascher to us for much the same money is a deal that needs to be done.
Anyone that also thinks Gerrard is going to be able to play much more than half of next seasons games is crackers too.
Lucas to Napoli, and Mascher to us for much the same money is a deal that needs to be done.
No thanks
Oh Gene, don't let me down
I know bro'.
I always loved Mascher, even after he manipulated his move out , and I could understand why given the circs at the time. I loved it when he dedicated the win over United in the CL final 2011 to the Liverpool fans.
I always loved Mascher, even after he manipulated his move out , and I could understand why given the circs at the time. I loved it when he dedicated the win over United in the CL final 2011 to the Liverpool fans.
Yes that too 😉
Indeed so if Mascher is one dimensional, I don't know what the fuck it makes Lucas, who almost everyone seems to have an extraordinary amount of time for. I think in this team, with Rogers and after being at Barca he would be fantastic, it seems an absolute no-brainier to me if he wants to come and it's under £10m.
Do you really want to try playing Mascher as a CB in the Premier League? Really?
Everything else has already been covered by @studsup.
[article]wee red man @weeredman1 8h
@TonyBarretTimes @BumperGraham any truths in the Mascherano to #LFC story doing the rounds today
Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes 8h
@weeredman1 @BumperGraham Nope.[/article]
@TonyBarretTimes @BumperGraham any truths in the Mascherano to #LFC story doing the rounds today
Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes 8h
@weeredman1 @BumperGraham Nope.[/article]
Yeah, I totally agree with you mate.
This would be a great way to kick off our summer transfer dealings.
I think it's a no-brainer. He can fucking tackle for a start. It seems every time Lucas makes a tackle he has to commit a foul. He also doesn't look completely fucking clueless when he crosses the halfway line. He obviously still has a huge love for Liverpool and the fans.
I'd have him in a heartbeat.
I'd have him in a heartbeat.
What?
Mascherano's story was that his wife couldn't take to living in England.
My opinion is that if Benitez had been a better man-manager, this wouln't have been a major issue. He could have hung on to Mascher as he could have hung on to Alonso.
Disagree where Mascher's concerned. I believe the bit about his wife and have never been convinced he himself wanted to go.
I see what you're getting at but, had that been the driving force behind it, I'd have expected his performances to turn to sh!te like Torres' did. What actually happened was that he was monstering the Arse midfield and getting MOTM just days before he left.
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