Masher agent to hold talks with Barca today?

[KopKing]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=34210.msg890067#msg890067 date=1245253538]
Shoot me....but I didn't think Masher was all that good last season.

Certainly expendable for Cash + Eto'o.




But, we are Liverpool, so we'll likely get 22m.... end of story.
[/quote]

Yes he was.
No he isn't.
You're probably right
🙂

 

[rage]

fine - eto'o plus yaya plus 20 million

 

[peekay]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=34210.msg890067#msg890067 date=1245253538]
Shoot me....but I didn't think Masher was all that good last season.

Certainly expendable for Cash + Eto'o.




But, we are Liverpool, so we'll likely get 22m.... end of story.
[/quote]

Eto'o, Nando and Stevie G : We will be the new Galacticos. You score 4 - We will score 5.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34210.msg890051#msg890051 date=1245252160]
I don't agree with the 'fuck Mascherano' attitude -  if his wife and kids aren't happy then he's bound to put them before us, just as anyone here with a family - which is most of you - would do so.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mascherano isn't essential to Liverpool football club. He's a fantastic defensive midfielder who we paid a very high fee for and shines against the top sides in England and abroad. But he's a player with zero attacking ability and in the Premiership where 90% of the teams are inferior and defensive minded against the top sides, there is an argument that we can't afford such a luxury.

He would make more sense in a team like Barca where he would be surrounded by attacking flair, but we are not like them at all, and I still don't understand why they're determined to replace Yaya Toure. Regardless, we should demand a high fee and like Sheik says, bleed them dry.

Xabi Alonso leaving would cause me far more sleepless nights.

C'est la vie, Javier.
[/quote]

Agree with the first para, not with the rest.  There is no-one, repeat no-one out there who can play the midfield enforcer as well as Mascher.  Whoever might come in instead of him (Toure included) would mean other players having to do more of the donkey work which Mascher currently takes off all their shoulders.  Anyone doubting his importance to us need only go and ask ManUre about that, after Mascher beasted their midfield twice in the league last season.

Mascher is tailor-made for the system which Rafa wants to play and which worked so well in the latter part of last season.  That's why Rafa's said Barca couldn't afford him given his importance to us, and IMO the manager is spot on.  Be very careful, those of you who disagree.  Like the song says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=barrymac20 link=topic=34210.msg890046#msg890046 date=1245251213]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34210.msg890003#msg890003 date=1245247761]
Something really needs to be done about these two cunts blatantly tapping up players.

If Mascherano wants to go then fuck him, same with Alonso and Arbeloa, fuck them all.
I want Torres' players who are proud of the shirt and who IMMEDIATELY scotch any rumours. Im sick of it. They wanna leave, then fuck em, rinse the cunts for every fucking penny.
[/quote]

Exactly. As i said before on another thread, if they really loved the club(like Torres)and really wanted to stay, they'd have come out and denied the rumours by now. I hope they dont go but if they want out then fuck them to high hell. Get 70 or 80 million ASAP and get replacements. This shit is getting on my fucking nerves.
[/quote]

Yup.

Looks like there might be more rebuilding on the way.

 

[thelurker]

[quote author=Dahuge link=topic=34210.msg890026#msg890026 date=1245249825]
I want toure plus eto'o and at least 15million or else they can go fuck themselves.
[/quote]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this buts its the african nations cup in jan 2010 so signing either of those players could mean we are without them for up to 4 weeks. May miss whole festive period too.

 

[spider-Neil]

I'm with oncy, if he wants to leave, fuck him.

 

[DCH]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=34210.msg890092#msg890092 date=1245256007]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34210.msg890051#msg890051 date=1245252160]
I don't agree with the 'fuck Mascherano' attitude - if his wife and kids aren't happy then he's bound to put them before us, just as anyone here with a family - which is most of you - would do so.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mascherano isn't essential to Liverpool football club. He's a fantastic defensive midfielder who we paid a very high fee for and shines against the top sides in England and abroad. But he's a player with zero attacking ability and in the Premiership where 90% of the teams are inferior and defensive minded against the top sides, there is an argument that we can't afford such a luxury.

He would make more sense in a team like Barca where he would be surrounded by attacking flair, but we are not like them at all, and I still don't understand why they're determined to replace Yaya Toure. Regardless, we should demand a high fee and like Sheik says, bleed them dry.

Xabi Alonso leaving would cause me far more sleepless nights.

C'est la vie, Javier.
[/quote]

Agree with the first para, not with the rest. There is no-one, repeat no-one out there who can play the midfield enforcer as well as Mascher. Whoever might come in instead of him (Toure included) would mean other players having to do more of the donkey work which Mascher currently takes off all their shoulders. Anyone doubting his importance to us need only go and ask ManUre about that, after Mascher beasted their midfield twice in the league last season.

Mascher is tailor-made for the system which Rafa wants to play and which worked so well in the latter part of last season. That's why Rafa's said Barca couldn't afford him given his importance to us, and IMO the manager is spot on. Be very careful, those of you who disagree. Like the song says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
[/quote]

Hey Judge I think no one in this forum wants mascher to leave but in the event that mascher himself wants to go due to his personal reasons we are just bitter about it and want the best possible deal.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=34210.msg890092#msg890092 date=1245256007]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34210.msg890051#msg890051 date=1245252160]
I don't agree with the 'fuck Mascherano' attitude - if his wife and kids aren't happy then he's bound to put them before us, just as anyone here with a family - which is most of you - would do so.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mascherano isn't essential to Liverpool football club. He's a fantastic defensive midfielder who we paid a very high fee for and shines against the top sides in England and abroad. But he's a player with zero attacking ability and in the Premiership where 90% of the teams are inferior and defensive minded against the top sides, there is an argument that we can't afford such a luxury.

He would make more sense in a team like Barca where he would be surrounded by attacking flair, but we are not like them at all, and I still don't understand why they're determined to replace Yaya Toure. Regardless, we should demand a high fee and like Sheik says, bleed them dry.

Xabi Alonso leaving would cause me far more sleepless nights.

C'est la vie, Javier.
[/quote]

Agree with the first para, not with the rest. There is no-one, repeat no-one out there who can play the midfield enforcer as well as Mascher. Whoever might come in instead of him (Toure included) would mean other players having to do more of the donkey work which Mascher currently takes off all their shoulders. Anyone doubting his importance to us need only go and ask ManUre about that, after Mascher beasted their midfield twice in the league last season.

Mascher is tailor-made for the system which Rafa wants to play and which worked so well in the latter part of last season. That's why Rafa's said Barca couldn't afford him given his importance to us, and IMO the manager is spot on. Be very careful, those of you who disagree. Like the song says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
[/quote]

And who won the league?

You were proving my point really. Javier shines against the top sides but against the smaller teams Masher isn't essential in my opinion. United have won 3 titles without an "enforcer" but a defensive playmaker in Carrick and little else other than a fantastic defense. Of course we can't compare all potential sides to United - there's other ways of doing it, but I'll never be of the opinion that you need *such* a defensive player to win the title, because most of the facts speak otherwise.

Against the smaller sides it helps to have a midfield where *everybody* can either score or produce an assist. Everyone knows we had too many draws last year - 12 in total(?) - so why people think Masher is essential is beyond me.

Riera can't be blamed for all our shortcomings.

 

[Judge Jules]

That's plausible in theory, but there are indeed "other ways of doing it" and what you're neglecting in practice is the system Rafa wants us to play, which worked so well late on in the system and for which Mascher is the perfect fit at DM because he sets everyone else free around him. Fetch another manager in and you may well have a point, but in Rafa's chosen system - like it or not - a player like Mascher is vital. It will help us not one bit to improve our record against the smaller sides but lose points against the big boys again.

 

[Atlas]

Fuck off Barca x2 please

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=DCH link=topic=34210.msg890129#msg890129 date=1245258761]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=34210.msg890092#msg890092 date=1245256007]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34210.msg890051#msg890051 date=1245252160]
I don't agree with the 'fuck Mascherano' attitude - if his wife and kids aren't happy then he's bound to put them before us, just as anyone here with a family - which is most of you - would do so.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mascherano isn't essential to Liverpool football club. He's a fantastic defensive midfielder who we paid a very high fee for and shines against the top sides in England and abroad. But he's a player with zero attacking ability and in the Premiership where 90% of the teams are inferior and defensive minded against the top sides, there is an argument that we can't afford such a luxury.

He would make more sense in a team like Barca where he would be surrounded by attacking flair, but we are not like them at all, and I still don't understand why they're determined to replace Yaya Toure. Regardless, we should demand a high fee and like Sheik says, bleed them dry.

Xabi Alonso leaving would cause me far more sleepless nights.

C'est la vie, Javier.
[/quote]

Agree with the first para, not with the rest. There is no-one, repeat no-one out there who can play the midfield enforcer as well as Mascher. Whoever might come in instead of him (Toure included) would mean other players having to do more of the donkey work which Mascher currently takes off all their shoulders. Anyone doubting his importance to us need only go and ask ManUre about that, after Mascher beasted their midfield twice in the league last season.

Mascher is tailor-made for the system which Rafa wants to play and which worked so well in the latter part of last season. That's why Rafa's said Barca couldn't afford him given his importance to us, and IMO the manager is spot on. Be very careful, those of you who disagree. Like the song says, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
[/quote]

Hey Judge I think no one in this forum wants mascher to leave but in the event that mascher himself wants to go due to his personal reasons we are just bitter about it and want the best possible deal.
[/quote]

I'm not sure about that, my friend. At the very least there are some on here who wouldn't mind that much, provided we get X player and/or Y amount of money for him. I think they're making a very big mistake. Fortunately it looks as though Rafa would say the same.

 

[keniget]

I don't think Rafa's 4-2-3-1 system is so specific that it requires a DM like Masher - and if we're saying there is no-one else of his quality about, then "a DM like" has to be removed and we're just left with "Masher".

In my mind, it essentially requires two holding midfielders to protect the defence. Now against the top sides and in certain other situations, it most certainly helps that one of those midfielders can offer the sort of qualities Masher has... as we've seen time and time again. It's not imperative though.

That said, I do think the value of Masher is being downplayed in this thread somewhat. We've seen other teams win without a DM of his quality, true, but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't want a player like that to help them win by a bigger margin. He's part of the very well oiled backbone of our team. As we've said in the Xabi debates, let's keep what works well and focus on the bits that don't work so well.

JJ, you are quite biased when it comes to Masher though.

 

[Squiggles]

United didn't win the league against the 'big boys' - they're record this year against the top four was appaliing, they won it because they're record against the lesser teams was impecable, which may be because of the points I've previously stated..

 

[Terrier]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34210.msg890191#msg890191 date=1245263035]
United didn't win the league against the 'big boys' - they're record this year against the top four was appaliing, they won it because they're record against the lesser teams was better, which may be because of the points I've previously stated..




























































































[/quote]
.

 

[TheBunnyman]

I don't get it, Squiggles.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=34210.msg890161#msg890161 date=1245261225]
I don't think Rafa's 4-2-3-1 system is so specific that it requires a DM like Masher - and if we're saying there is no-one else of his quality about, then "a DM like" has to be removed and we're just left with "Masher".

In my mind, it essentially requires two holding midfielders to protect the defence. Now against the top sides and in certain other situations, it most certainly helps that one of those midfielders can offer the sort of qualities Masher has... as we've seen time and time again. It's not imperative though.

That said, I do think the value of Masher is being downplayed in this thread somewhat. We've seen other teams win without a DM of his quality, true, but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't want a player like that to help them win by a bigger margin. He's part of the very well oiled backbone of our team. As we've said in the Xabi debates, let's keep what works well and focus on the bits that don't work so well.

JJ, you are quite biased when it comes to Masher though.
[/quote]

I rate Mascher very highly indeed, that's certainly true. I think he's the best in world football in his (admittedly specialised) role, I was chuffed to monkeys when Rafa brought him to LFC and, like you albeit to a greater extent, I think his value has been downplayed in this thread. Not sure that makes me biased, though perhaps none of us is best placed to make that judgment about him/herself.

 

[SummerOnions]

Cries.

 

[Molbystwin]

I will gutted if we sell masher, he is one of my favourite players firstly because he is one of the best terrier midfielders ive ever seen and secondly because you can just tell he loves winning and loves the club, one of my highlights last season was seeing mash go absolutely mental after the late winner against pompey ( or it might have been city ... i was pissed)

anyway i will be gutted.

However: if its true his wife and kid are unhappy then you or i cannot argue about it to be fair, we would all do the same.
also: there is a definite sense that the best players are heading to spain now, no doubt, the national side is untouchable, barca european champs and playing lovely stuff Real buying the best player in Italy and in England in the space of a week.... for a spanish speaker with more cultural ties and an unhappy wife... well you get the point.

IF he does want to go we should not even think about letting him go for less than 35M... he is that good, in fact IMO nobody is more of a defensive midfield monster than him other than essien. He is a star player of his type.

Its also bugging the fuck out of me that whenever the press talks of us selling players they dont blink at saying 20M for Alonso etc etc but have no shame in touting some relatively shit player at a smaller club for 15M. IMO both Alonso and Mash are two of the very best midfielders in the world and should be talked of as such when prices are discussed. We meekly accept paying 18M because a player is English etc but the fact is that the CL is so important financially that teams like Barca and Real are actually just as much our direct competition as anyone else... we should charge them a similar shitty premium for ripping the heart out of our fucking class midfield which has been beating them black and blue for a good few years now. I will genuinely be fucked off if we sell them for less than 70M a pair... in this market we still wouldnnt be able to replace them that easily even with that.

 

[Whaddapie]

I really wish some of yiz didn't turn so quickly...

It's been pretty much established that Mascher LOVES it here and would stay if he didn't have a rather pressing family issue tugging him away.

Who wouldn't put saving their marraige ahead of keeping a job, if it really came down to it? And it seems to have cone down to it for poor Mascher - Hasn't she already left Liverpool, without him? Family above all else, my friends.

I love the bloke and I think he's a great player. But he's also human, and as such, there are things you have to do sometimes that utterly suck balls.

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=34210.msg890008#msg890008 date=1245248599]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=34210.msg890007#msg890007 date=1245248552]
Yaya Toure and 30M please.
[/quote]

Eto'o, Yaya and £15m.
[/quote]

Well if Rafa is to hold strong on his "£50 million wont buy you mascherano" then why not.........but id take yaya and £50 million. Chances are that its not gonna happen tho. If every rumour was true we'd have no squad next year!!

 

[Squiggles]

(Yeah, apologies for that gap - not sure what happened there)

 

[refugee]

I would be gutted to lose Masher, he is one of my favorite players.

 

[vikas]

Sell Masher for £30-£35m + Yaya Toure coming in

Spend £30-£35m on David Villa

= swapping Mascherano for Toure and Villa

Yes please.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=vikas link=topic=34210.msg890334#msg890334 date=1245282847]
Sell Masher for £30-£35m + Yaya Toure coming in

Spend £30-£35m on David Villa

= swapping Mascherano for Toure and Villa

Yes please.
[/quote]

*sets an alarm for Vikas*

 

[vikas]

Gnite

*Plans to refresh newsnow liverpool page in his sleep and see what pops out*

 

[LarryHagman]

Would be sad to see Masch go, he is the best of his kind. The likelihood is that our midfield will be weaker whatever deal we do.
If he is truly putting his family first, fair play, we'd all do the same. However, I'd have expected him to recognise these symptoms at his first English club and therefore avoid signing for us in the first place.
Not interested in Toure. I would rather have the guy that went from Arsenal to AC, can't remember his name.

 

[Ryan]

Meh.

If true, get as much for him as we can.

Unlike plenty of others that we have, Masher is replacable.

 

[Irish_Red]

Flamini ? Are you serious. Toure is ten times the player. Flamini had 1 good season for arsenal and fucked them over and left on a free to milan, Where he's struggled to get a game as far as i know. He's no where near the class of toure or masch.

 

[Ryan]

The Guardian running with this now too...

Javier Mascherano's agent holds Barcelona talks to test Rafael Benítez• Mascherano's agent met Barcelona last night
• Alvaro Arbeloa considers move back to Spain

Andy Hunter The Guardian, Thursday 18 June 2009 Article history
Javier Mascherano's agent has said that a move from Liverpool to Barcelona 'is feasible'.


Rafael Benítez's insistence that Liverpool will not countenance the sale of Javier Mascherano is likely to be tested after the Argentina captain's agent held talks with Barcelona officials over a possible move to Camp Nou.

Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer, met Barcelona representatives in the city's Rey Juan Carlos I hotel for two hours last night as the European champions intensify efforts to sign the 25-year-old. It is believed Tamer, who last week claimed Mascherano would relish a move to Barcelona and that "a transfer would be feasible", was seeking assurances about the personal terms on offer should his client attempt to force through a deeply unpopular exit from Anfield.

Liverpool have not yet received an inquiry from Barcelona for Mascherano, who has been earmarked to replace Yaya Touré as their holding midfielder by the coach, Pep Guardiola. Benítez has made his opposition to any move clear, however, and while the Liverpool manager must sell to inflate his transfer budget above a net £20m, he is under no pressure to offload such a key member of his team, particularly at a time when doubts surround the Anfield future of Mascherano's midfield colleague Xabi Alonso.

Responding to Tamer's opening gambit last week, Benítez insisted: "Mascherano has no price. Barcelona could not afford to match his value. They can offer £40m or even £50m. We don't want to sell." That stance will be tested should Mascherano agitate for a move from the club that revitalised his career following a dreadful spell at West Ham United or Barcelona follow up their interest with a staggering offer. Liverpool paid £18m to sign the Argentinian in February 2008 and there are suspicions within the club that, having seen Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt offered and accept lucrative new contracts in recent months, Mascherano wants a similar pay rise.

The Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa has revealed he is open to a move to Real Madrid out of a desire to prove himself in Spain, but also concern at tax rises planned for high earners in Britain.

He has only a year remaining on his Anfield contract and is likely to be sold should a suitable bid arrive this summer as Rafael Benítez closes in on an £18.5m deal for the Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson. "Going back to Spain is always an idea that's in my mind," said Arbeloa. "I'm happy in Liverpool but I'd like to go back because I've barely had a chance to play in the top flight in Spain. Certainly I'll go back one day. Outside of football, I miss everything I have in my country. It's always nice to be thought of by important teams, more so when it's this Real Madrid which Florentino [Pérez, the club president] is building."They're making a big effort to build a great team. I have a year left at Liverpool but anything could happen."Despite approaching the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract Arbeloa, who is in South Africa for the Confederations Cup, revealed no extension is imminent. "The renewal is up in the air," he explained. "Normally, it would happen in the coming year. But then if an offer arrives Liverpool have to study it to see if it's better for them to sell me now. When you play for a team like Liverpool there's not many places you can go at the same level. You have to find another team which fights to the end for the league and Champions League. It's not easy."

Two things:

1 - This meeting between his agnet and Barca would not have taken place without Mascherano's approval. He'd have agreed to his agent speaking to them, which shows where his thoughts currently lie. He can dress it up however he pleases, but could you imagine Torres, Kuyt, Carragher, etc saying "yes agent, go talk to Barca even though Liverpool don't want to sell me"?

2 - With that in mind, get as much as we can for him. Starting at minimum 30M. If that 30M+ gets us a Villa or whomever, then what's the fucking problem?