With the sale of Javier Mascherano ever more likely, our attentions will have to turn to who will replace him in central midfield. With the Liverpool midfielder’s agent confirming that “first contact” had been made with Inter Milan, Mascherano has also stated his desire to work with Rafa Benitez once again:
“Me to Inter? Ask Benitez. He is the one who knows more. The market? I don’t know what can happen, I am thinking about the World Cup, the rest will come after. Rafa is my teacher. I learned so much from him since I came to play in Europe. I owe him plenty and I am honoured at the faith he showed me. Yes, I am learning Italian, but I don’t know anything about Inter. Does Benitez want me? You should ask him as he would know more than me.”
So who should replace Mascherano if he does actually leave? The incumbent who played the role for the majority of last season was Lucas Leiva. Lucas is certainly a divisive figure among Liverpool fans and although some of the criticism is certainly justified, he was asked to play a role by Benitez he was never comfortable with. In my opinion he is not a ball winning defensive midfield player, although he is adept at breaking up opposition attacks with interceptions and pressing the ball, at Gremio, his previous club, he was an attacking midfield player. This was demonstratively shown when Rafa allowed him to play in a more offensive role in some home games in the Europa League last season. He loves to run onto the ball and play quick one twos to get a sight in on goal. These are not the attributes of a holding midfield player.
With Lucas ruled out of playing such a role then, who should come in at defensive midfield? In fact, the question becomes, do we need one at all? If Gerrard stays, could he form a deadly partnership with Alberto Aquilani like he once did with Xabi Alonso? In my opinion, this could not work, Aquilani is not at all the same as Alonso and like partnering Frank Lampard with England, it could inhibit both players’ attacking game with both too afraid to leave space in midfield. To give credit to Benitez, Gerrard was always given the freedom to play further up the pitch to express his attacking skills but for that to be allowed, a holding midfielder was needed.
A replacement for Masch is therefore the best solution to his sale. The ideal player for Gerrard or Aquilani is somebody who can pass the ball to them but can also win tackles in midfield. One such player could be Felipe Melo of Juventus. A regular starter for Brazil, Melo plays as a defensive midfielder with license to go forward to create opportunities for attackers. His first year at Juventus has however been an unhappy one as after a big money move from Fiorentina last summer he has failed to settle in Turin. He criticised Juve’s own fans mid way through the season and lost his place in the team. New coach Luigi Del Neri has refused to speculate on the 26 year old’s future and he could be allowed to leave for a cut-price fee. Arsenal are said to be long term admirers of the player as he would both add extra weight to the midfield while also adding something on the ball.
So overall, I believe a replacement for Javier is needed. He certainly shouldn’t cost anywhere near the £25-30million we would sell the Argentinean captain for but a cool calm presence in front of the back four for a reasonable price is required.
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Football FanCast writer Oscar Pye-Jeary documents his time in South Africa following England in the 2010 World Cup. (England v USA).
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See him for 30 Million.
Get Yaya toures (MAc city bound though) or One of Diarras from Madrid. (15-20 Million Max)
Spend rest of 10Million + on Banega from Valencia
Its completely pointless speculating about buying any players when even free signings are not being completed. There is only one way we were always heading, ever since the Yanks showed their colours, and that was down. when some so called fans turned on Rafa, the Yanks got their knives out, something they had been waiting for for so long.
The assets striping will not be balanced by suitable replacements. There is no one left to stop the yanks and their henchmen from guaranteeing us as also rans who will struggle to qualify for Europe. The Rafa bashers have got what they wanted and now it seems they will have to excuse and explain their stance when we loose all that we had built over the last 6 years.
Firstly, we must all hope that Roy Hodgson is not brought in as the new manager, the two greedy,pathetic Americans should give the managers post to king Kenny.
And then he can bring hope to us fans and 1stly persuade our best players to stay at the Club : Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres and Bennayoun.
They are the main spine of the club: Reina, G Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher, Mascherano, Aquilani, Gerrard, Bennayoun, Babel and Torres.
So to let either of them go will have a huge set back on our club: If we hope to get back to winning things and doing well in all competitions we need to hold onto our best players.
Mascherano on his day is the best Holding midfielder in the world and hopefully we can keep hold of him, but if things are not sorted out over summer.
we could lose all some of our best players and that would be disastrous, But if Mascherno’s heart is not in it and he wants to leave, the club should put a £40m price tag on his head as he still has two years on his contract.
And then there are some good holding midfielders out there available:
M Flamini A.C Milan £8-£12m
M Sissoko Juventus £8-£12m
S Mbia Marseille £8-£14m
L Diarra Real Madrid £12-£18m
Y Y Toure Barcelona £12-25m
D Rossi Roma £18-£25m
But hopefully King Kenny will be given the chance to be the manager of the club again and hopefully he can persuade Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres and Bennayoun that their futures are at Liverpool!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the Spearing point I seem to remember everybody caning a certain J. Carragher saying he wasn’t good enough, youngsters like most players need a run in the team to develope. People have mooted a move for Warnock who also wasn’t good enough. He looked good enough against Real I realise it was a cameo, but he would be free and worthy of a try. Our club is in a mess at the minute pride and passion may well count for more in the long run.
I see all these names being thrown out yet there hasnt been a single mention of Ever Banega from Valencia? his release clause is between a measly 8.5 and 10 million euros. and with him being argentinean, the same size, and possessing the same energy and tackling skills I would consider him not just ideal but perfect as a replacement. only he has the added advantage of an Alonso-esque passing and crossing range. and not to mention he´s only 21 years old? how could we pass that up, maximum profit
Go for Banega. Selling Masch and getting Banega would be a good bargain deal for Liverpool. Jovanovic is not great – do not over estimate him. He is an ordinary player who would do well in Stoke City. We must have really gone so low to be so excited with Jovanovic. He will be a flop in Liverpool, I am afraid. Consider getting some reserve team players from Man Utd. They will do better than the first team Liverpool players. Also look at some clubs in division one and two for some players who could replace Mascherano easily. That will give Liverpool chance to do better than last season and finish 6th place, go as far as quarter finals in Europa Cup and FA Cup. That will be a dream come true!
manamanu only time will tell if your club ends up in the same mess as liverpool because your in a worse position than us if the truth be known so dont come on a liverpool site and gloat lad ok go back to your window lickers site were you came from because your second best now to chelsea and you have manchester city breathing down your kneck and fergie wont last for ever so we will be laughing at your lot soon god willing ps good luck in the carling cup final again next year