Alonso Vs Gerrard

[Nic83]

I'm going to make a bold and slightly controversial statement here.

In terms of playing ability, Alonso is a more important player than Gerrard.

Note: "Playing ability" is NOT referring to mental attributes such as Influence and determination.

Alonso is our playmaker, the guy who takes the ball from the defense and gets the moves going. He is our key man.

Obviously, in terms of passion and committment and being the driving force, Gerrard is the main man but Xabi's importance to the team cannot be underestimated.

I've asked this question before: If Xabi was the scouser and Gerrard the Spanish import, who would you be first to let go?

Xabi will be the key to the title and we must do everything we can to keep Barcelona away. He is a genius of a footballer. Some of the things he does (small things that go relatively unnoticed by the majority) are nothing short of brilliant.

Gerrard and Alonso together in the midfield are EXPLOSIVE and should be played side by side. There isn't a partnership in the world that can get near them.

Thoughts?

[bazza76]

I think central midfield is a more important role than on the right, and that is a reason why xabi is more pivotal to the team. we seen how pivotal Stevie was for England in that same position.

[dww]

Gerrard and Alonso together in the midfield are EXPLOSIVE and should be played side by side. There isn't a partnership in the world that can get near them.

Thoughts?

Gerrard and Alonso have played together a fair amount and very rarely looked anything like explosive. I think both players have been poor compared to their best this season.

Alonso is much better than Gerrard at setting the pace of the game. Gerrard is much better at having a sudden decisive impact. I think that Alonso has an obvious role in the team and if played with a more disciplined player like Masherano might well be able to have more impact up the pitch, however at the minute he doesn't contibute enough in that area. He comes very close to combining the skills of Lampard and Makelele in one player but he doesn't quite do it.

Gerrard is harder to find a specific role in the team. He seemed to have found an ideal position last season roaming from a base on the right. However this season he has seemed determined to move into the middle, completely ruining the team shape. He has a greater array of individual skills than Alonso - shooting, tackling, taking people on etc. but stuggles to bring them to bear as frequently as he should.

Difficult to say who is more talented really.

[Jazzmaster]

I agree with you entirely and think that is a sensible point. Gerrard is spectacular at playing dynamic football, and can change a match on his own, but in terms of playing ability and anchoring the team, alonso is better.

[Marky]

We should just be grateful we have such talented players at the club.

I'm still not keen on them as a partnership in the middle of the field however having both in the same side(even if it means one has to play in a different role) is enough to strike fear into any team in the world.

With Gerrard 26 and Alonso 25, over the next 3-4 seasons we should see both in the prime of there career which can only be a good thing for Liverpool Football Club.

[AFII]

---------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves---------Gerrard--------Ribery

We could get that midfield for around £30m.

It also shows that we can play all three of our great midfielders at the same time. Everyone of them is very important to the team.

[Jayesh87]

---------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves---------Gerrard--------Ribery

We could get that midfield for around £30m.

It also shows that we can play all three of our great midfielders at the same time. Everyone of them is very important to the team.

So we would have Kuyt, Crouch (Trez maybe if Crouch leaves), Bellamy (Eto'o or Villa maybe ) Voronin all playing for one spot ?!?

I just can't see it happening and Bascombe has hinted that Voronin will be 5th choice striker next season and will be used more on the wings or second striker.

[AFII]

We can of course play 4-3-3.

------Alonso---Mascherano---Sissoko---
--Gerrard-------Trezeguet------Villa---

Villa and Trezeguet are just examples.

Lot of options for Rafa.

[red g]

So we would have Kuyt, Crouch (Trez maybe if Crouch leaves), Bellamy (Eto'o or Villa maybe ) Voronin all playing for one spot ?!?

I just can't see it happening and Bascombe has hinted that Voronin will be 5th choice striker next season and will be used more on the wings or second striker.

reina
carragher hyppia agger
alonso mascherano
ribery gerrard alves
Villa Kuyt

2 strikers and an awesome team !!

[Doc_Piptorious]

I'm going to make a bold and slightly controversial statement here.

In terms of playing ability, Alonso is a more important player than Gerrard.

Note: "Playing ability" is NOT referring to mental attributes such as Influence and determination.

Alonso is our playmaker, the guy who takes the ball from the defense and gets the moves going. He is our key man.

Obviously, in terms of passion and committment and being the driving force, Gerrard is the main man but Xabi's importance to the team cannot be underestimated.

I've asked this question before: If Xabi was the scouser and Gerrard the Spanish import, who would you be first to let go?

Xabi will be the key to the title and we must do everything we can to keep Barcelona away. He is a genius of a footballer. Some of the things he does (small things that go relatively unnoticed by the majority) are nothing short of brilliant.

Gerrard and Alonso together in the midfield are EXPLOSIVE and should be played side by side. There isn't a partnership in the world that can get near them.

Thoughts?

I would agree with what you have said. I would be more gutted if we sold Alonso than if we sold Gerrard.

[simey85]

its hard to compare them as they are totally different types of player gerrard make desicive matchwinning interventions while xabi is much more of a deep lying playmaker. for me both of them have been below par this season!

[Shaggy]

Hmmm. I know what Nic means and where he is coming from.

Gerrard is obviously a much more effective player. A better all round player. Not many would argue with that - not even me, and Xabi is my favourite player.

Alonso is the more gifted technically and is only more important insofar as making us tick - setting the tempo. Gerrard takes the bull by the horns and makes things happen in an altogether different manner to Xabi.

It's a bit pointless comparing one against the other - we're lucky to have to such great players but they need to start stamping their authority on games more regularly.

[Ryan_Derrick]

I think we saw the midfield formation Rafa wants to play on Saturday (4231)

---Alonso-Mascherano---
Pennant-Gerrard-Gonzalez

Garcia, Kewell, Bellamy and Kuyt can all play AM as part of the three as can Veronin.
Crouch and Kuyt are both capable of playing lone striker in this formation.

[dww]

---------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves---------Gerrard--------Ribery

We could get that midfield for around £30m.

It also shows that we can play all three of our great midfielders at the same time. Everyone of them is very important to the team.

I can see us using that sort of formation in some games. I definitely thikn that next season we will vary between some form of 4-5-1/4-3-3 and a more traditional 4-4-2.

I'm not sure about your pricing though. Especially as all English clubs will be viewed as much richer after the new TV deal on top of the fact of our takeover.

[Ryan_Derrick]

I can see us using that sort of formation in some games. I definitely thikn that next season we will vary between some form of 4-5-1/4-3-3 and a more traditional 4-4-2.

I'm not sure about your pricing though. Especially as all English clubs will be viewed as much richer after the new TV deal on top of the fact of our takeover.

If Rafa goes for Alves again in the summer you can add 3-5-2 with DA and JAR/FA is wing backs.