Javier Mascherano has made a brazen ‘come and get me’ plea to former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who seems to be on the verge of taking over at Inter Milan. One particularly illuminating comment stands out amid the Argentinean’s glowing eulogy.
“With BenÃtez at Liverpool I experienced three incredible years. His football is my football.”
Of course it is! Mascherano is the living embodiment of Benitez’s footballing philosophy: defensive caution above all else. And no wonder Mascherano loved it under Benitez; the whole team was geared towards the style of football he enjoys the most.
This is precisely why Benitez, Mascherano and Italian football are a match made in heaven. Cautious, defensive-minded manager + ultra-defensive midfielder + defensive league = the perfect combination.
I’ve argued for the last two years that Mascherano should be sold to the highest bidder. He is eminently replaceable, and – in my view – not really integral to Liverpool’s success on the field. Take last season, for example: his alleged defensive genius didn’t stop the club losing 19 games, did it?
Mascherano’s heart is elsewhere. He wanted to move to Barcelona last year, and when that fell through, Benitez revealed that he was ‘disappointed’ to be staying at Anfield.
"We told Javier he was so important for us and we wanted to keep him. We were not talking about any price. He was a bit disappointed as it was a fantastic opportunity with a big club”.
That was the final straw for me. If a player is disappointed to be playing for Liverpool (which, last time I checked IS a big club), then he should be shown the door at the earliest opportunity, not paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to stick it out.
Last season, I offered 13 reasons why the club should sell Mascherano. His latest comments just underline my belief that he needs to go.
Benitez's football may be Mascherano's football, but as last season showed, it definitely is NOT the kind of football expected of, or wanted at, Liverpool FC.
“With BenÃtez at Liverpool I experienced three incredible years. His football is my football.”
Of course it is! Mascherano is the living embodiment of Benitez’s footballing philosophy: defensive caution above all else. And no wonder Mascherano loved it under Benitez; the whole team was geared towards the style of football he enjoys the most.
This is precisely why Benitez, Mascherano and Italian football are a match made in heaven. Cautious, defensive-minded manager + ultra-defensive midfielder + defensive league = the perfect combination.
I’ve argued for the last two years that Mascherano should be sold to the highest bidder. He is eminently replaceable, and – in my view – not really integral to Liverpool’s success on the field. Take last season, for example: his alleged defensive genius didn’t stop the club losing 19 games, did it?
Mascherano’s heart is elsewhere. He wanted to move to Barcelona last year, and when that fell through, Benitez revealed that he was ‘disappointed’ to be staying at Anfield.
"We told Javier he was so important for us and we wanted to keep him. We were not talking about any price. He was a bit disappointed as it was a fantastic opportunity with a big club”.
That was the final straw for me. If a player is disappointed to be playing for Liverpool (which, last time I checked IS a big club), then he should be shown the door at the earliest opportunity, not paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to stick it out.
Last season, I offered 13 reasons why the club should sell Mascherano. His latest comments just underline my belief that he needs to go.
Benitez's football may be Mascherano's football, but as last season showed, it definitely is NOT the kind of football expected of, or wanted at, Liverpool FC.
Jamie, I agree with most of the things you say in most of your articles.
ReplyDeletethank you for doing the hard yards of research and producing facts in your articles.
Keep up the encouraging words.
sure hes done a bit of whinging over the years, but you have to admit, played in a attack-minded team, with just him patrolling about, infront of attack-minded defenders ( agger, johnstone, new LB ) hes all you need to break down the quick counter. my point being, he'd be a better player under a different coach. and he is world class, argentinas captain, and the sort of top player we need to keep. a pity he wants away.
ReplyDeleteWow... the fact that the current Italian treble winners and current CL champions want him speaks volumes....
ReplyDeleteLet Rafa go in already and stop beating him down...
You are the worse kind of fan, you claim to care about the club, but you do nothing positive for it...
Tearing down the manager at every chance you get, tearing into the players, defending greedy corporate owners, what do you actually care about when it comes to LFC????? What????
Your a sad pathetic man who cares nothing about LFC and your constant diatribes make that clear....
Hi Jamie,
ReplyDeleteMasch is RB's 'yes' man all the while and he has again playing the 'come and get me'. I believe his heart is not with Liverpool and the fact that he has openly says he wishes to move. Those who have kept silent such as Gerrard, Torres and Carragher are just watching the many next steps the Club will taking. WIth RB gone, I believe our star players will stay and give the next manager a chance. Anyway, I'm really anxious to know who's the new manager. I think it will be one from within the UK and probably between Martin O' Neil and Roy Hogdson. What's your view on the standings as at now? Thanks
<span>"Of course it is! Mascherano is the living embodiment of Benitez’s footballing philosophy: defensive caution above all else."</span>
ReplyDeleteAnd this is exactly why we scored so many goals under Benitez!
Next!
Of course, this is the start. Because G&H decided to do another bad thing for the club by sacking Benitez, our star players now want to leave. Masch first, Torres will be next and maybe even Gerrard.
ReplyDeleteI think it is too easy to underestimate Macherano's quality. Know this: his role looks easy because it makes it appear so thanks to his talent. Compare Lucas' success in a Mascherano role and see the difference (I'm not part of the anti-Lucas brigade by the way, I like him and have a suspicion he may really take a huge leap under a new manager, provided he is given the chance. I fear he may be seen as a symbol for a perceived wrongness in the Benitez era and jettisoned in the name of dubious, token change). Losing the outstanding defensive midfield player in world football (since Essien's injury problems leave Masch with no real competition) is not something that you'd welcome and could lead to a greater exodus. The point regarding his alleged 'genius' and us losing 19 games is a glib oversimplification and a bit of a cheap shot.
ReplyDeleteThat said, his whinging is becoming increasingly tiresome. With money so tight, bearing in mind the huge fee he'd dictate, I could reconcile his sacrifice. We'll miss him in the big games particularly but I feel that a midfield pair of Lucas and Gerrard playing box-to-box (less so Gerrard), with Aqua ahead of them, could be an equally solid midfield.
I can understand the comparison between Benitez and Masch, I thought it myself when confronted with the above quote but I think you've chosen to portray it in the most negative light. There are of course negative aspects both possess and share, I'm not ignorant to that fact, but this is all dark and no light I feel.
Yeah right, we have Lucas as his replacement..woohooo
ReplyDeleteanother article showing how much you know about football. without mascherano we would have lost alot more than 19 games. He IS integral to the team both when playing big games against the best players and also against smaller teams that sit back and only counter. a couple of years ago our strength was our midfield and your saying without the loss of both xabi and masch it wouldn't have made much difference to our performances last year? hahahahaha rightooo
ReplyDeleteif he wants to leave thats fine sell him but to just say he won't be a loss is stupid, just like this website and writers on here
mascherano is a very good player, however he plays in a position that can easily be replicated and where Liverpool strugle for creativity when he and Lucas play together.
ReplyDeleteShould Liverpool receive £30 million for him then that would be a good deal and he could be replaced by 3 £10 million pound players...
With the money I would target Micah Richards for defensive cover, plus Scott Parker or Mathieu Flamini to come in as direct replacements for Masch. The other money could be put towards a left back/left winger and a striker.
Sell Skrtel and Babel to generate further funds and the squad could be well replenished ready for a tough season next year.
Kanwar is a classroom dunce - loves repeating media pimp bilge. If Benitez' football is over-cautious, defensive negativity, how was it that we scored more goals season 2008/09 tha any other team? Oh yeah, I expect it was because played 'a flat-back 8'!
ReplyDeleteAll true LFC fans know where this type of thinking belongs - go & read Brian Reade's real journalism, who realizes why Rafa will always be a legend; as opposed to those who want to rewrite history to accord with their prejudiced ideas
Masch is one of the most overrated players we've ever had.
ReplyDeleteEvery time he attempts a tackle, I wince.
The man is a liability with the loyalty of a horny dog.
Its an important position that he plays, I just feel that we could deploy a more complete player there
<p><span>Masch is as good as any holding mf in world football and as Makelele proved with Real and Chelsea you need that type of player in your squad to let the stars do there work and to protect the back four. Real fell to bits when he left for Chelsea.</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span><span><span> </span>If his hearts not in it tho what can you do? Cash in and just hope and pray the new manager knows how to spend the money a little bit wiser than Rafa.</span></span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span><span>Liverpool need players that will walk onto the pitch proud to be playing for our great club. </span></span>
</p><p><span> </span></p>
i dont know where you get off with this anti-Rafa diatribes. Cant you just get a move on and let liverpool progress as a club. what you should be doing is giving us options and stirring up hope as things are pretty dire right now for the club. I have followed and supported the club for over 25 years of my life and there are people who have done worse than Rafa and you do not give them their just deserrts like Souness and Evans we were seriously messed up then, and we are stilll recovering from the mess of those years. Use your forum for better things, you sound pretty intelligent but there is obviously no balance to stuff that you put up here. G & H dont need you defending them (except you are being paid to). Once in a while do the right thing,atleast you are happy Rafa is gone ,he's not slagging the club where he is at.Your personal crusade is not a war of attrition because the club suffers as uninformed people read your stuff and go to town with it like half cocked guns. LET'S HAVE SOME BALANCE HERE O.K.That's if i ever read the muck you write again.Some time ago you were off the air and i thought you had given up...........!!!!!!!????!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell Jamie, something we agree on. Mascherano has undoubted quality, it is very unfair to blame him alone for losing 19 games. If he was no good he wouldn't be wanted by all the top clubs ( a bit like Rafa, why do these clubs not come looking for O'Niell? Mmmm). But at the end of the day I believe that he should be sold because we need the money to strenghten in other areas as I don't think his position is the most important on the field & we should only play with one holding player. Also Liverpool are a top club & if he not happy then it ADIOS AMIGO.
ReplyDeleteJaimie what are you talking about?
ReplyDelete"Mascherano and Italian football are a match made in heaven. Cautious, defensive-minded manager + ultra-defensive midfielder + defensive league..."
Inter Milan are the current European Champions, all Italian football is not defensive and cautious that is a myth driven by people who don't watch Italian football! They're League may be geared towards a more tactical approach but hey, they're European and WORLD Champions so the Italians must be doing something right!
You're comparing us to Barcelona Jaimie, get a grip, they're MUCH bigger than we are (in terms of recent success and ability) and most players in the World dream of playing for them at some point in their career.
Yet another negative, smoke & mirrors article for you to have another go at Benitez, he's gone ffs, let it go!
Oh, and what happened to the article you were going to write thanking Benitez for all he's done for the Club? Still waiting for that, you've written FOUR other articles since you said you were going to write a Benitez article.
You're starting to flog a dead horse now Jaimie, why don't you focus some of your attentions on the cancerous tumor eating away at the heart of our Club? That's H&G by the way, as a "Liverpool fan" you seem to have forgotten!
I have seriously never come across a more obvious PRO H&G PR Campaign that the one you're running, if you're honestly a Liverpool fan I'll show my arse in M&S window.
Jaimie what are you talking about?
ReplyDelete"Mascherano and Italian football are a match made in heaven. Cautious, defensive-minded manager + ultra-defensive midfielder + defensive league..."
Inter Milan are the current European Champions, all Italian football is not defensive and cautious that is a myth driven by people who don't watch Italian football! They're League may be geared towards a more tactical approach but hey, they're European and WORLD Champions so the Italians must be doing something right!
You're comparing us to Barcelona Jaimie, get a grip, they're MUCH bigger than we are (in terms of recent success and ability) and most players in the World dream of playing for them at some point in their career.
Yet another negative, smoke & mirrors article for you to have another go at Benitez, he's gone ffs, let it go!
Oh, and what happened to the article you were going to write thanking Benitez for all he's done for the Club? Still waiting for that, you've written FOUR other articles since you said you were going to write a Benitez article.
You're starting to flog a dead horse now Jaimie, why don't you focus some of your attentions on the cancerous tumor eating away at the heart of our Club? That's H&G by the way, as a "Liverpool fan" you seem to have forgotten!
I have seriously never come across a more obvious PRO H&G PR Campaign that the one you're running, if you're honestly a Liverpool fan I'll show my arse in M&S window.
Jaimie what are you talking about?
ReplyDelete"Mascherano and Italian football are a match made in heaven. Cautious, defensive-minded manager + ultra-defensive midfielder + defensive league..."
Inter Milan are the current European Champions, all Italian football is not defensive and cautious that is a myth driven by people who don't watch Italian football! They're League may be geared towards a more tactical approach but hey, they're European and WORLD Champions so the Italians must be doing something right!
You're comparing us to Barcelona Jaimie, get a grip, they're MUCH bigger than we are (in terms of recent success and ability) and most players in the World dream of playing for them at some point in their career.
Yet another negative, smoke & mirrors article for you to have another go at Benitez, he's gone ffs, let it go!
Oh, and what happened to the article you were going to write thanking Benitez for all he's done for the Club? Still waiting for that, you've written FOUR other articles since you said you were going to write a Benitez article.
You're starting to flog a dead horse now Jaimie, why don't you focus some of your attentions on the cancerous tumor eating away at the heart of our Club? That's H&G by the way, as a "Liverpool fan" you seem to have forgotten!
I have seriously never come across a more obvious PRO H&G PR Campaign that the one you're running, if you're honestly a Liverpool fan I'll show my arse in M&S window.
Masch is the reason we only lost 19 games.
ReplyDeleteOur defence is quite frankly horrendous. Any other team would need 2 defensive midfielders just to make up for the lack of pace, skill and coordination of that kind of rear guard. Masch is those two midfielders in one omnipresent hot package. Sure he's got his discipline problems and we question his commitment to the club. But let's not doubt his ability.
Sell him? Sure, nothing against it if the price is right. Getting rid of a player that doesn't show 100% commitment is a bold but shrewd move. But I don't expect him to be replaced easily. We'll miss him for a while.
SO happy to see so many Liverpool fans sick of Mascherano.
ReplyDeleteHe's undoubtably an ingrateful bastard WHo doesn't deserve the huge privilege to play for Liverpool Football Club.
He's not a key player, He's only a defensive midfield and 30 ml for him is a fantastic deal.
What a huge ingrate.
He was sitting on the bench at Upton Park when Liverpool called him.
Liverpool saved an overrated Holding Midfield and offering him an huge salary..
And What's the final prize for Liverpool FC?
Mascherano said: "Shocked that move to Barcellona was delayed"
Fuck Off, and I'm finally happy to see Proper Fan gives a kick to this ingrateful bastard.
Many Players leave the Club: it's the life.
Look at way & behaviour of Xabi Alonso: He's undoubtably a great man Who always respects Liverpool Fans and their passion.
Fuck Off to milan with your master.
Nice to see how many Benitez' football club fans They are forgetting that Inter Milan enquired any possible candidate in place of Benitez.....
LETS BE MORE POSITIVE, THE BEST THING FOR L.F.C. AT THE PRESENT TIME IS FOR R.B.S. TO MAKE THE CARPET BAGGERS SELL L.F.C. TO THE ARABS FOR 350 MILLION AND BRING IN LIPPI AS MANAGER. THIS WILL STOP A PLAYERS EXODUS AND GIVE US A GREAT CHANCE TO WIN THE PREMIERSHIP.
ReplyDeleteTHE KING IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE KING.
VAYA CON DIOS. RAFA
BigJohn - what stars did we have that Masch was allowing to go do their work though??
ReplyDeleteWhereas Real were using the likes of Figo, Zidane & Ronaldo in attack - none of which were known for their defensive work, thereby necessitating a primarily defensive midfielder who didn't want the ball himself - Liverpool were using a defensive winger, another defensive midfielder, a converted box to box midfielder and one of the hardest working top class strikers around!
Anyway, if Real had replaced Makalele with another quality defensive midfielder rather than using the likes of Beckham to fill in, they'd have coped well enough. The same way we'll miss Masch if we lose him and replace him with the likes of Lucas, but won't miss him at all if he's replaced with a more forceful central midfielder.
(btw, I think that plenty of players should be given a portion of their wages to Makalele, as he alone has made it possible for so many limited players to 'warrant' their places in starting 11's nowadays!)
I hope Lucas & Kuyt go as well!!! :-D
ReplyDeleteLooks like Hodgson is the front runner to replace Rafa, an english manager is exactly what this club needs.
Whoever comes, I am sure Dalglish will bring the right man to Anfield...
still slagging benitez off! unbelieveable.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you there BigRedFred - he's a good player, but by no means a £30m pound player. His efforts could easily be replicated by someone from midtable (where work-rate and determination are usually the prioritised over actual on the ball quality), whereas replacing truly world class players like Torres or Gerrard would be far more difficult (and expensive)
ReplyDeleteSpot On Max!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's unbelievable that People is so obsessed of Benitez.
ReplyDeleteBenitez is history.
Liverpool move on.
Are they Liverpool Fans or Benitez Fans?
Jacques - Hamann & Makalale made the role look easy; strolling around intercepting passes and running opponents off the ball. Masch sprinting about and diving into tackles while screaming at any and everybody isn't making it look easy to me. That's more like the all action performances of old from Gerrard, Keane & Vieira, just without the contribution at the opposite end of the pitch
ReplyDeleteAMWhy - these kind of comments keep being made, but you must be forgetting that these players wanted to leave while Rafa was still here; maybe even more so than now!!
ReplyDeleteMasch made public his disappointment at not being allowed to leave last summer, and has been running his contract down ever since. That was with Rafa in charge.
Benayoun constantly spoke about wanting to move on over the last couple of years, and made it clear that he wanted to move to Chelsea while Rafa was still in charge.
Torres has made it clear that he doesn't care whether Rafa remained or not and that he just wants Liverpool to commit to winning while he's in his peak years.
And finally Gerrard - I'm pretty sure NOBODY really believes that Rafa remaining in charge was what was keeping him at Liverpool
"our star players now want to leave"
ReplyDeleteErm, but you do remember last summer, right? Masch wanted to leave while BenÃtez was still in charge. You will probably claim that then he wanted to leave because of the owners.
Elsewhere it's rather "Mascherano wants to leave so we are doomed and all our better players will want to leave". At least Jaimie is trying to give some balance to that.
ReplyDeleteit's not slagging off Benitez. Calling him a defensive-minded manager is an insult? get over it. as far as I'm concerned, it's merely stating a fact.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a matter of SOUR GRAPES!!! :-P
ReplyDeleteGood times will be back soon!!!
Well then bye bye Gerrard,bye bye Torres,bye bye `bad body language`,wish it was bye bye Yanks,bye bye back stabbing `Senior Sources,bye bye backstabbing Senior players,should be Hello Rafa,Hello Rafa`s own team,Hello World beaters but with fans like YOU Jamie LFC are always going to be no better than hoping M O`neill is going to be OUR manager,NEVER.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm.....it's going to be an interesting summer. We'll see what players are commited to Rafa rather than the club. I woudn't be at all suprised to see Torres, Masch, Reina and Kuyt leave. It's a shame as it's the backbone of a decent side.
ReplyDeleteIt sickens me tbh, seeing these players kissing the badge and declaring their love for the club then manically searching for the nearest exit door as soon as the man that brought them there leaves and the going gets slighty tough at the club. Let the players that want to leave just go. We need players 100% commited to the liverpool cause now more than ever. Not mercenaries who clearly don't want to be here.
YNWA
Liverpool fans or Benitez fans? A lot of fans needed to ask themselves this question when he was in charge. Only too happy to have a pop at Rafa after one poor season. Jamie has written before how Rafa was only too happy to talk about issues within the club & maybe he should have kept quiet. But that's not the only thing that's changed for the worse. Football forums with their Anti Manager agendas, Liverpool fans not backing players & managers. Unheard of in years gone by. But I suppose that's ok. I for one would back any manager & player even if I think they are the wrong choice. Will Jamie be on here in 18 months with another crusade. Rafa was a strong manager, which is exactly what we required with all the issues surrounding our club, not a shrinking violet or a yes man.
ReplyDeleteI've always supported Rafa, the plyrs & the CLub.
ReplyDeleteI have to say: Rafa is gone.
Move on Pls.
Is there something of cruel in this sentence?
I've always supported manager (until he's been on charge), plyrs & club but I'm entitled to be an opinion as much as You.
Do You consider Rafa strong, right man for the CLub? What's the problem, it's an opinion.
How my personal opinion udermining Rafa Benitez? How my personal view or opinion udermining the club's performances on the pitch?
Come on, it's positive for the progress of the Club to have a costantly, genuine, debate about manager.
Nobody can pretend to establish an only, real true of facts.
Liverpool is supported by Working class Yes, but only in Comunist Regime We have an only message.
So we have a choice between Hodgson and Eriksson. Hodgson’s best achievements are in taking Inter to the final of the mickey mouse cup and managing two bit teams (oh and also getting Blackburn relegated). He may replace the man who actually won that cup, won the ’slightly’ more prestigious Champions League and went to TWO finals in the CL. Eriksson I don’t even want to discuss. As foretold by many fans, the likes of Hiddink and Rijkard will not touch LFC with a barge-pole in its present condition. I just saw the highlights of us beating Real Madrid 4-0. Come the middle of next season games like that and the drubbing of Man u 4-1 on their patch will seem like they happened in some parallel universe.
ReplyDeletethe fact that you think players like lee cattermole are of the same quality of mascherano speaks volumes about your understanding of football.
ReplyDeleteMark - for once, why don't you try and quote me fairly instead of just blatantly twisting what I say.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Cattermole is the same quality of Mascherano; the point you miss though is that my argument is he 8doesn't ned to be*. DM is not, and should not be the most important part of the team. Liverpool can replace Mascherano with someone much cheaper. Llorik Cana, for example, would be a superb replacement, and he would probably cost about 5-7m.
Mascherano is the best defensive midfield player in the world, hence why all the best teams in the world are interested in signing him. Having the best defensive midfield player in the world, doesn't make you a defensive team, it allows your flair players more license to do their thing. Rafa was often too cautious and paired him with Lucas, who is a similar player but nowhere near as good - so he's not "eminently replaceable".
ReplyDeleteIf the Valencia board would have thought the same way you are thinking "best achievements are...", we probably wouldn't discuss about BenÃtez at all, because before he went there he didn't exactly achieve great things. I really don't get the point why people ask for a manager who has won everything already. Don't you think that there are managers out there who are great and have potential to make it at a big club? If not then the footballing world will fall apart as soon as the household names one day retire.
ReplyDeleteMark You disgust me.
ReplyDeleteYou're protecting a player Who never missed an opportunity to show disaffection to this great Club.
Maybe You should move to Internationale, the next Club of Rafa Benitez & Javier Mascherano.
Jamie: Llorik Cana is fantastic.
I don't know why my first reply was deleted but I'll say it again. Do you delete every response you don't agree with?
ReplyDeleteMascherano is integral to our team. Both against the best teams with very dangerous attacking players and against the lesser sides that play only on the counter. You say he is eminently replaceable, but that's stupid. This shows you either don't know what eminently means or you don't rate Mascherano as a DM. Everyone is replaceable. The question is could they do it at the same standard. I don't think anyone in the world is as good at what he does.
You say we lost 19 games last season because of him. This is to simplistic just like all your other arguements and articles. Don't you think all other factors throughout the season outweigh his performances, which I'd argue were fairly good compared to the rest of our squad? I'd say we would have lost alot more without him. Two seasons ago our strength was in our midfield. Losing both Alonso and Mascherano would have compounded our problems on the field.
If he wants to leave fine, sell him. But to deny his footballing abilities just shows YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL
Unbelievable how 1 of our world class players is being slagged by 'fans' of LFC. It amazes me. The fact that Barca want him says it all.
ReplyDeleteHow true! How true! Masch needs to be away and more attacking approach installed.
ReplyDeleteYou see - this is exactly the problem with fan perception these days. So many people prioritise the individual over the club. Like you - the fact that mascherano dissed the club by saying he was 'disappointed' to be staying at Liverpool cuts no ice with you; all you care about is the player.
ReplyDeleteDoes it not bother you that someone is disappointed to have to play for Liverpool?
You see - this is exactly the problem with fan perception these days. So many people prioritise the individual over the club. Like you, for example. The fact that mascherano dissed the club by saying he was 'disappointed' to be staying at cuts no ice; all you care about is the player.
ReplyDeleteDoes it not bother you that someone is disappointed to have to play for Liverpool? Or is that okay now?
errr ken, all of that that you lament came to pass under Rafa's stewardship, or is he totally disassociated from any aspects of his six years in charge?
ReplyDeleteNow who's twisting people's words Jaimie?
ReplyDeleteMascherano hasn't said he's disappointed that he's got to play for Liverpool, Benitez said he was disappointed that a move to Barcelona could not be completed - a big difference.
He still went on to have an excellent season so it's not as if he sulked about it, if anything he showed great professionalism. Another player may have sulked his way into a move.
I'm sure Fabregas was disappointed last season when he couldn't move to Barca, he still went on to have a cracking season. You need to get it out of your head that LFC are held in as a high a regard by players as fans, we aren't.
A "professional" may ply his trade at Liverpool, it doesn't mean he'll never want to play elsewhere. When a player wants to move the best thing we can do is allow them to go and get the best price possible.
Now who's twisting people's words Jaimie?
ReplyDeleteMascherano hasn't said he's disappointed that he's got to play for Liverpool, Benitez said he was disappointed that a move to Barcelona could not be completed - a big difference.
He still went on to have an excellent season so it's not as if he sulked about it, if anything he showed great professionalism. Another player may have sulked his way into a move.
I'm sure Fabregas was disappointed last season when he couldn't move to Barca, he still went on to have a cracking season. You need to get it out of your head that LFC are held in as a high a regard by players as fans, we aren't.
A "professional" may ply his trade at Liverpool, it doesn't mean he'll never want to play elsewhere. When a player wants to move the best thing we can do is allow them to go and get the best price possible.
Now who's twisting people's words Jaimie?
ReplyDeleteMascherano hasn't said he's disappointed that he's got to play for Liverpool, Benitez said he was disappointed that a move to Barcelona could not be completed - a big difference.
He still went on to have an excellent season so it's not as if he sulked about it, if anything he showed great professionalism. Another player may have sulked his way into a move.
I'm sure Fabregas was disappointed last season when he couldn't move to Barca, he still went on to have a cracking season. You need to get it out of your head that LFC are held in as a high a regard by players as fans, we aren't.
A "professional" may ply his trade at Liverpool, it doesn't mean he'll never want to play elsewhere. When a player wants to move the best thing we can do is allow them to go and get the best price possible.
"Take last season, for example: his alleged defensive genius didn’t stop the club losing 19 games, did it?"
ReplyDeleteFirstly I don't think anyone has ever referred to Masch as having "defensive genius". Level headed fans know that he is a quality defensive midfielder and he served a purpose to the team. I believe that every successful team in the PL needs one. Man Utd had Keane and now have Fletcher. Keane was arguably more inspirational than Masch but they were similar players. Arsenal had players like Vieira, Flamini and to be honest they lack someone now. Chelsea have had Makalele and now have either Essien or Mikel. Spurs were a better team when they bought Palacios.
Having said that if we get a good offer for him, £25million, then I'd be happy to see him go. Lucas showed me towards the end of last season that he can play in that position so I don't even think we would need to buy anybody else and we can spend that £25 million on positions where we need cover.
Losing is down to the whole team, not just one player. It's a team game! Masch could have played his heart out in every game and we still would have lost games last season because the team as a whole were rubbish for the most part. For objectivity I could point out the season before we only lost two games in the league and say that was Masch was partly responsible for that. However the team as a whole also played much better two season ago.
Read more: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/06/mascherano-on-benitez-truer-words-were.html#ixzz0qA4gQjy2
No, there is no difference, and no aount of semantic sophistry will change the fact that Mascherano was disappointed to be staying at Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteSo? Did he still play to the best of his ability? Yes. Did he have a good season? Yes. Is he still regarded as one of the finest holding midfielders in the World? Yes.
ReplyDeleteRonaldo was disappointed to be staying at United in what was his final season at the Club, he still went on to have a great season. I've found Mascherano's handling of his disappointment to be exemplary to be honest.
I really can't see what your point is? We should only ever have players who NEVER want to play elsewhere? Now who's living in a fantasy land!?
too right Anteater - with their timid approach, Riijkaard would not have had the opportunity to revitalise Barcelona, Guardiola would not have swept all in his path at the same club, Wenger would not have revolutionised Arsenal or Liverpool would never have put Dalglish in charge. All talented managers need one big club that could match their potential to take a chance on them, otherwise it's just a closed circuit.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily think that Hodgson is the ideal man for the job (would prefer more youth and energy from the likes of Bilic, Laudrup or Riijkaard) but it wouldn't be based just on his list of prior achievements not including a CL or Premier League trophy
Gary, maybe You should support Club like Forest, Leeds, Manchester United.
ReplyDeleteHere individual is always bugger than the Club.
Go to support Man United.
Mascherano is only an insult to Liverpool Football CLub and anyone Who protects a so pathetic figure He represents an insult to Liverpool Football Club.
Why are we still talking about that fat spanish waiter? I thought this site was about Liverpool FC, not RAFA FC.
ReplyDeleteGuess I was wrong about you Mr Kanwar.
Idiots, the majority of you,
ReplyDeleteDon't shout and scream at me, this just my opinion.
It's all about opinions.
The Americans should have gone not Benitez !
I too am frustrated with Benitez's tactics this season. But the season befor last,When we out scored everybody, who were complaining then.
Yes we maybe should have clinched the league then, we didn't though, but made massive strides in the right direction. The blank Cheque book should've come out, it didn't
People are quick to point to Rafa's £249 spent in 6 years, £139 recouped in player sales.
Aren't these the same people who were over the moon with Benitez's first 3 years in charge. Won European cup, Lost League cup final, Won super cup, Charity shield and F.A Cup, Lost European cup final. (3 F-ing years)
Alex Fergusson took 20 years to get to 3 european cup finals !
3 european cup finals in 23 years.
So on that basis and bear in mind Rafa was promised £20 million a season plus %100 of any player sales to rebuild his squad each year.......
It never ever happened.
So the past 3 years where some Liverpool f.c fans have been disgruntled.
Liverpool spent less than City, Less than spurs and less than Villa (United and Chelsea too) .
City, Villa and Spurs spent more than us in the past 3 years whilst trying to sneak in to the top 4.
We have spent less than City, Villa and Spurs in the last 3 years trying to win the Bloody League !!! ( a hell of a difference, i think you'll all agree)
Put it simply another way, lets see how close City, Spurs and Villa come to clinching the Premier League in the next 3 years......They won't.
Because all the time Chelsea, United and Arsenal are buying and strethening.
The Americans have played a blinder....
No manager and with players unable to negotiate contracts due to being on world cup duty, they have the perfect excuse as to why L.F.C didn't buy players this year. Nothing to do with the fact they are skint !
Another thing, before Benitez, when was the last player Liverpool made a profit on ???
I think it was Ian Rush, Juventus for £3.7 million buying him back for £2.9m.
We simply do not make money on players. Benitez did on several occasions.
At least he would ship out the dead wood if they didn't look like making it.
Then you have the fact that he had eventually got control of the academy and reserves. out of all the £249 million the papers harp on about, over 30 youth players were bought.
Some will come good, and when they do, they either go in to the 1st team sqaud or are sold for PROFIT to provide much needed transfer funds, WELL THAT WAS THE PLAN.
Torres was pressed a few weeks ago about his future, he said he had 2 years left, but Liverpool have to match his ambition. No players comming in this year, can you see him sticking around ? I can't.
Worse case senario, we lose Gerrard and Torres to clear some debt, new manager (probably be Kenny as it's the cheapest option) no money, I could see us doing a Newcastle or Leeds United, it's not that hard to imagine.
In short 1 really bad season in 6 years shouldn't warrant the sacking of the manager. He should of at least had 12 more months.
Rafa will alsways be a legend to me, he left us with a far more valuable squad than when he arrived.
Fact.
Sparq2112
YNWA
Wow... Where is the comment I left earlier Jamie????
ReplyDeleteFAO The Positive One - Your last comment slagged me off in a personal manner. read the comment policy: any such comments will be deleted. If you want to post on this site, please stick to debating the issues.
ReplyDeletePlease refrain from personally insulting Benitez.
ReplyDeleteFAO The Positive One - Your last comment contravened the comment policy (derogatory comments) If you want to post on this site, please stick to debating the issues.
ReplyDeleteAlso, people harp on about us losing 11 games in the Pl.
ReplyDeleteUnited who were Champions lost 9 for f-sake.
This was a very different season to any other in memory.
Would we have lost that many with Gerrard and Torres fit ?
Almost certainly no.
But injuries are part and parcel of the game.
A friend said we should of had a better back up striker.
True.
But when you play Gerrard as the 2nd striker (It worked the year before last) it hard to get a decent striker to sit on the bench. Crouch wouldn't do it, Keane ( Never rated him anyway ) sulked everytime he was subbed, 'am sorry, but as a manager, if after 60 or 70 minutes your striker doesn't remotely look like scoring (Robbie Keane) the sustitutions have to be made !
So to find a decent back up striker isn't that easy.
Sparq2112
Why are you wasting your time mentioning him?
ReplyDeletewho cares about Benitez now he's not our manager.
ReplyDeleteFirstly: Masch - Leiva is obviously an anti - football. Liverpool can't control the ball, Liverpool can't pass the ball, Liverpool can't play long ball from midfield, Liverpool has no quality. DM's pair is only a stupid Benitez's system which can't protect our centre backs. Anyone Who plays football, also at the Sunday Pub league, knows well that it's not to possible to protect the centre-backs with two hold midfields: keeping the ball in the heart of the pitch is the best system to protect centre - backs: look at Barca.
ReplyDeleteSecondly: Mascherano is a traditional prototype of defensive midfield useless in british football. He's an old style defensive midfield: He only runs with the ball, He only does tackles, He only challenges the opponents (with many many bad fouls). Useless. Mascherano's style is only suitable in italian serie A. Yes, Jamie is right. I'm italian and I know italian Serie A better than You. Mourinho is always a defensive manager, and Inter Milan style is only based on counter - attacks, with a pair of defensive midfield: Esteban Cambiasso & Javier Zanetti. The cover for the midfield's pair is a player of the same type like MUNTARI, while Snejder, top quality player of Inter side, He plays in an offensive position. Inter won in Italy & In Europe with a defensive style of football: it's not so bad bit it's a fact and JAMIE IS RIGHT. Benitez, in respect of Mourinho, is a signal of continuity and in fact He will add another quantity player to Inter Milan. English Football is faster than italian football, English football is based on runs, long balls, crosses from the line and English football requires multi functional & versatile players in the middle. If You look at all top Clubs of English Football, there are so many players in the middle with so many different specialitions.
They are all good players Who attacks the area: Lampard, Fletcher, Barry.
is Masch a good player? Yes', he's a good player.
Is Masch replaceable? YES, FOR SURE.
Thirdly: Where is the good old sense of loyalty for the Club?
He shows disaffection, ingratitude: He doesn't deserve to wear the badge.
30 ml for him? Fantastic deal.
he had a sulk for months - not really "exemplary" behaviour...
ReplyDeleteOh yes, You're right.
ReplyDeleteAfter an uforgivable 7th place, with awnful & boring football, woth nineteen defeats, it's unthinkable that Roy Hodgson could replace the God Rafa Benitez..
<span>I agree with Jaime. Too much emphasis in being wasted on a player who clearly prefers being somewhere else. I will be the first admitting my admiration for Mascherano's defensive capabilities - Having said that, I believe the future manager <span>will</span> focus more in what Liverpool lacks, and that's attacking creativity and an offensive mentality. Mascherano is an excellent player at what <span>he does</span>, but is very <span>limited</span> if you ask more from him. As Jaime mentioned: Serie A is an ideal league for Mascherano since Defensive Midfielders are a main focus from a tactical perspective. I will like Javier to stay regardless of changes in future team tactics; -However, his head is clearly somewhere and that's enough reason to cut him loose.</span>
ReplyDeleteAnd your evidence is? Other than what a "newspaper" has printed of course - I certainly heard of no tantrums on Mascherano's part.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree
ReplyDelete<p>as the IRWTers love to say anytime an unsubstantiated quote is used, link please or stfu! lol Can you provide proof that Rafa was promised £20m + sales for transfers every year as I'm yet to see that published anywhere!?
ReplyDelete</p><p>
</p><p>We ALL want the American's gone - that is something a lot fans seem to be ignoring. However, the club is up for sale and can't be moved until a willing buyer comes in; why does that seem so hard to understand??
</p><p>Moreover, all this obsession with rushing things through (even when it's a megamillion pound deal!?) is what led us to this situation with the American's in charge in the first place! I'd much rather we wait out the right bid this time instead of just rushing through a deal with the first bid...
</p>
Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI simply don't see why Mascherano is rated so highly (Of course my footballing knowledge will be attacked in response by the Rafa-Mascherano brigade). He is certainly not the best there is out there - Essien, Senna and Toure are miles better and they are not the thugs Mascherano is. Mascherano should have been sold for a hefty amount the moment he whinged in public about wanting to leave. I mean, the fellow was on West Ham bench before Liverpool made him who he is for crying out loud! I hope Rafa's favorite anti-footballers - Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano join him at Inter.
As for the next coach - I've said this before, though Hodgson is an excellent choice but he is rather old at 62 and Martin O' Neill is only slightly younger at 58 (doesn't look it though, surprised me). I guess Kenny Dalglish could persuade Rijkaard to take over. Very dignified chap and could give our drab-style of football a thorough makeover.
Exciting times ahead. The world cup seems like an unavoidable interruption :-P
btw Sparg, it's mainly ppl that defend Rafa that keep bleating going on about irrelevant things like Win %. His detractors tend to be more concerned with the fact that we ended the season in SEVENTH place, and mounted only one title challenge in six years...
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt the fact that Masch should leave if he doesn't want to be at Liverpool. But at this point in time we need a solid defensive midfielder. ONLY ONE. Without Masch we don't have any backup, unless Gerrard plays in this position with Aqua behind the strikerS. Lucas has no place in midfield and should leave with Benitez. I don't think the manager will be given any funds, and if he does it needs to be invested in a striker and at left back. This is the only short-term alternative we have, other than playing Lucas in this position.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Dalglish that appointed John Barnes as Celtic Manager when he was Director of Football.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to get over the Dalglish Myth. He was a Fantastic Player best i have seen play, he was a good player manager with a sensational backroom team but for those who remember the day. The team that dalglish assembled did not perform to begin with, it was only when King Kenny put his boots on and played in the second half of the that first season that liverpool played well. Dont misunderstand what i am saying he then went on to massive things with Liverpool as a manager the stats are well there to prove his achievments. Also as a Man he conducts himself with utmost dignity. He is my idle. I am just not certain that his track record in managerial appointments stands scrutany.
Just for interest ,for all the berating of Benitez and his poor squad the following is the squad at LFC on the day Dalglish left the club some ace players some good players and some awful players
<span> Player</span><span> Position</span><span> Bruce Grobbelaar</span><span> Goalkeeper</span><span> Robbie Holcroft</span><span> Goalkeeper</span><span> Mike Hooper</span><span> Goalkeeper</span><span> Gary Ablett</span><span> Defender</span><span> David Burrows</span><span> Defender</span><span> Gary Gillespie</span><span> Defender</span><span> Glenn Hysen</span><span> Defender</span><span> Steve Nicol</span><span> Defender</span><span> Steve Staunton</span><span> Defender</span><span> Nick Tanner</span><span> Defender</span><span> Barry Venison</span><span> Defender</span><span> Alex Watson</span><span> Defender</span><span> John Barnes</span><span> Midfielder</span><span> Jimmy [...]
Gary, you are absolutely right. Many people don't realize how important DM to the modern football is, where counter attack is one of the most important tactic that can change the game in a matter of second. Good DM is very necessary to counter this tactic, as well as, providing balance to the team.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's why Gareth Barry is in the England squad, even though he may not be ready for the openner.
my evidence is his displays on the pitch
ReplyDeleteNo.....that's an opinion! Doh!
ReplyDeletei see my comment was removed
ReplyDeleteit was not offensive nor derogatory.spurs spent 200 mill it got them 4th spot
man city are spending more and there team is very strong but is not used to working with each other and are strengthening again
aston villa spend little but do very well
everton has a great 1st team once they have depth they should do well
all above teams are fighting for the 4th spot
the 1st and second is fought by chelsea and man poo
arsenal have 3rd tied up for now
history does not attract players in today's modern world of greedy agents its about what money they and there clients can get out of the deal
my question is how are liverpool expected to compete successfully in this market with the present infrastructure ?
if u delete this comment then i know you are just a yes man who thinks every one is dumb and believes what ever is wrote
Your comment was NOT removed. I have t explain this every single time: this is a threaded comment board. Obviously, if people reply to threads, unthreaded comments will drop onto a different page to make room. That is what happened to your comment, which is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/06/future-is-bright-for-liverpool-fc.html#jsid-1275913490-12
For you it's an opinion; for me, it's a fact.
ReplyDeleteAttacking football does not win trophys
ReplyDeletecounter attacking football wins trophy's based on the foundation of a world class keeper defence and holding midfielder
Ok lads what is going on here.Lets get something straight,Rafa had 6 years in charge,there is no doubt that he was good for us in Europe but this is a man who played lucas week in week out no matter how bad he played.He couldnt realise that his 4 5 1 formation simply didnt work without alonso. He destroyed the team with the Alonso incident and has flooded the team with mediocre players.
ReplyDeleteI think manager wise King Kenny will make the right decision. I would love to see him get the job,I think the pride,confidence and passion would be restored in the team and he would bring back league success.
But one thing is clear in all this the club can only move forward when those yanks give up raping our club then we will become a huge force again.
Ok lads what is going on here.Lets get something straight,Rafa had 6 years in charge,there is no doubt that he was good for us in Europe but this is a man who played lucas week in week out no matter how bad he played.He couldnt realise that his 4 5 1 formation simply didnt work without alonso. He destroyed the team with the Alonso incident and has flooded the team with mediocre players.
ReplyDeleteI think manager wise King Kenny will make the right decision. I would love to see him get the job,I think the pride,confidence and passion would be restored in the team and he would bring back league success.
But one thing is clear in all this the club can only move forward when those yanks give up raping our club then we will become a huge force again
Read more: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/06/mascherano-on-benitez-truer-words-were.html#ixzz0qIBc7DMq
You are talking about Mascherano that he is defense minded player who loves defensive tactic and yet you say his hart is elswhere whan he wanted to join Barca.
ReplyDeleteNow you can blame Benitez to be cautius and defensive but you can hardly blama Barcelona for defensive football.
You refuted your own argument!
His position in the field is defensive midfielder, sure he had his spot guaranteed but I dont see better player on Livepool 's bench unless you think Gerrard and Aquilani should play only two midfielders.
But never mind what I think, Mascherano had offers from more than one big team willing to pay 30+ mil. for him. I guess people there know little more than us.
None of the first 5 teams in PL would sell Masherano, apart from Arsenal, not even Tottenham as I dont see tham selling Palacios.
If he wanted to join Barca it's not becouse he is theirs biggest fan but becouse he wants succes, to win things!
That kind of mentality doesent suit you now does it.
Foreigners have more problems adjusting but you can not blame Masherano for under-preforming as I've seen Liverpool get their money's worth and more with him.
Dont sell players eager to win titles!
not really, season before last we scored the most, and had the most amount of players scoring over 10 in the prem..... Last season was, well poor on all fronts. Its an opinion - not fact.
ReplyDeleteIv been saying this for the past two years. He's awful, a one trick pony.
ReplyDeleteLook across the park or up the M62, would they swap him for any of there midfielders. I know i wouldn't
So Cana would only cost 5-7 million. Get off it Jamie, I realize that we are both putting our opinion out there, not facts, but Cana had a fairly solid season for Steve Bruce's Sunderland. In fact I daresay he might have been there most consistent performer all year. Steve brought him to SUnderland for 5 mil last year. So you believe that Sunderland are going to turn around and sell one of the most consistent players for the same price or for a mere 2 million dollar profit. You don't think this would be a bad deal for Sunderland? I am sure he would cost at least 10 million, probably more as he was a very good performer last year for a team that struggled at the end of the season to win games.
ReplyDeleteI disagree on your take of Mascherano. I think he is much more than just a defensive midfielder. He works hard to get the ball from the defense and his ability to spray the ball long to the wings helps when he is asked to do it. For crying out loud he is the captain of Argentina and a mainstay in their team for the past couple of years. He work rate is excellent, he has a bit of a temper and plays physical with players much larger than himself. Sure he has a mouth and has probably said some stuff that did not sit well with some LFC fans, but on the field he is nothing short of a professional (tireless, works hard and doesn't like to lose)
I am sure you love LFC, but my opinion of this site is that it sincerely doesn't like Benitez. Personally I am not sure of any manager out there, who is currently available that can do any sort of magic with LFC ownership situation being what it is. In fact the only manager who I am even somewhat excited about would be Redknapp but I just can't see him leaving Tottenham unfinished.
Just because Mash is defensive minded doesn't make him not effective for the team, he is a qaulity operater in that position and has more to his game than just stopping people, compare him with someone like Sissoko that we have had in the past and you will realise how good he is! I suppose you have never kicked a ball in your life so you'll never realise!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you help yourself by being inflammatory to people who do not agree with you. No wonder people get annoyed.
ReplyDeleteSurely the idea is to have ADULT debate about this and not call people 'cretinous' and 'stupid' for not agreeing with you.
So was Makelele? He did his job well, and even scored once in a blue moon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bloody joke. Ignorance is bliss... Go support some soccer Team and stop pretending...
ReplyDeleteLOL, right... and I suppose YOU and only YOU are the one who decides this... That's fine it is your site...
ReplyDeleteI'm done here anyway....
the truth is Rafa love the club, Mascherno also give all out every games...so who ever give all n evrything to the club , he is HERO in my opinion but not Yankie...sorry Yanks i,m very frustraction you let down my club...just sharing with u to all the liv fans.
ReplyDeletemasch can be replaced but if we are to move forward we will have to sort out our back four. it's just not good enough. people stating our defense is ok and that we just have to improve our midfield and attack i can't really take seriously. our defense is completely lacking pace and so is the midfield, apart from masch. how many times at the second half of the season were either masch or the cb's out to help the slow and out of position insua? sell insua, lucas, skrtel, degen, el zahr to start with. none of these players are anywear close to the required quality to play for a top side in the EPL. to keep our two star players i think it's a good start to sell these players as the likes of torres and gerrard in their hearts and minds know that with these players around we can't really compete.
ReplyDelete"DM is not, and should not be the most important part of the team." Well, I disagree. DM is one of the most important positions in football. There's not many quality DM in the world, but if a team has one, it improves the team immensely. Take Real Madrid for example. They've won everything when Makalele was there. After he left, they weren't the same team anymore. Van Bommel is another example (Eidhoven, Bayern). The thing about good DMs is, that you don't see their importance while they're playing, but once they leave, you will definetly miss them!But having said that, I think we should sell Masch, because he's the only player we can afford to loose AND would give us some money. I only say this, because I'm very confident that Lucas can do this job.
ReplyDeleteYeah more like Barca than LFC material you spazz. STILL WITH rOY hODGSON AND NO BUDGET WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO DREAM OF PLAYERS OF THAT CALIBER, 13 REASONS WHY YOU ARE A FOOL?
ReplyDeleteYou, sir, know NOTHING about football.
ReplyDelete<span><span>Lucas is a good player. </span><span>Unfortunately he can not do things beyond their function. </span><span>He was hired for what he did in Gremio, the Brazilian club has revealed. </span><span>He played most advanced in that team. </span><span>Had the freedom to attack, different from the way that Benitez climbing. </span><span>I think a new coach can give us the real Lucas.</span></span>
ReplyDelete<span><span>Lucas is a good player. </span><span>Unfortunately he can not do things beyond their function. </span><span>He was hired for what he did in Gremio, the Brazilian club has revealed. </span><span>He played most advanced in that team. </span><span>Had the freedom to attack, different from the way that Benitez climbing. </span><span>I think a new coach can give us the real Lucas.</span></span>
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/06/mascherano-on-benitez-truer-words-were.html#ixzz0qT7Q3c7V
yes, a cautious, defensive manager who picked out a mid table player and turned him into one of the top 3 strikers in the world. Pure chance, incredible isn't it? What was that 4-0 Real Madrid, 4-1 Man U? Eeeggiot.....
ReplyDeleteCan't believe some of these comments. 'Mascherano was not very good and can easily be replaced', sure, like with Poulson lol. Mascherano was brilliant for Liverpool and Benitez was a great boss. The only agreeable part that no he was not sacked by Purslow. Truth is Rafa couldnt wait to get out. Under the circumstances with his 'bosses' no wonder. Well now you have what you wished for ! from the team that finished 2nd, we have no Alonso Mascherano Benayoun Riera Arebeloa, plus Aurelio Torres are crocked, Gerrard and Carragher two years older. Your brave new era has heralded Poulson, Konchesky, Jovanovic, the promotion of Krygiakos and Ngog, so here we are 2nd bottom two years after being 2nd. Losing Benitez was clearly a great success lol
ReplyDeleteI wish someone could have anticipated how much we would miss Masch!!
ReplyDeletePaul
Trampolines
With the exception of Torres and Gerrard (because they have carried the team at times)
ReplyDeleteHodgson's favourite players appear to be Poulsen, Konchesky, Lucas, Kuyt. Players he has made a point of praising, sometimes when they have done nothing special. Benitez's favourite players appeared to be Lucas, Kuyt, Mascherano, N'gog. What is it with our managers recently? Why can't we have a manager who talks up one of the more flair players or who says 'he's going to get a run in the team until he comes good', i.e. For the likes of Pacheco or Babel. How do players like Nasri come over here and perform straight away, or players like Nani get countless chances and start to come good? Maluoda? Rubbish for 18 months. Why can't we show the same patience with the flair players we have compared to the workhorses? I can remember seeing O'Neill talking up Ashley Young as if he was the next Lionel Messi, why don't we ever hear such speech from a Liverpool manager? The praise is always for workrate or working for the team. Lucas would have been the kind of player the team needed, getting forward, yet he was turned into an alternative to Alonso or Mascherano, a job that he was never going to be able to do. He's improved greatly now but his game was an attacking one originally and that's what the team needs, more attacking threats, not more defensive midfielders.