Xabi Alonso

[anfieldanfield]

I like Xabi, I really do, but as a long term central midfield partner for Steven Gerrard, for me it's Mascherano every single time.

[Darth Marty]

Me too.

[Adair]

Didn't have a good game today.....hasn't in a while.

[marcus50bucks]

I like Xabi, I really do, but as a long term central midfield partner for Steven Gerrard, for me it's Mascherano every single time.

I like Mash but if he had played today I am not sure we would have looked as dangerous going forward as we did today with Alonso and Gerrard in the middle. Away from home is a different scenario altogether though.

[Morph]

Me three, i thought Alonso was poor today, he was guilty of putting us in trouble at least twice in the first 20 mins or so, Mascherano would have been a much better option

[Johnny]

I actually think todays game would have suited Momo.He would have bossed Chelsea today.(On second thoughts,Styles probably would have sent him off at the 1st oppertunity.)

[Imy]

I agree too, Mascherano would also allow Stevie G to play a more expansive game

[MrMichael]

I like Xabi, I really do, but as a long term central midfield partner for Steven Gerrard, for me it's Mascherano every single time.

And me

Alonso, on form, is an imperious midfielder, but when playing a 4-4-2, Mascher & Gerrard would seem to be the best balanced combination we have available.

[Cisseshairdresser]

I'm getting concerned about Xabi. His first season he was class but the last 2 have been ropey. If todays performance is an indicator of whats to come I would not feel to optimistic about this.

Considering the amount centre mids at the club, if Xabi has another poor season, maybe we should consider selling him next summer for big money.

[Lee]

I dunno what's happened to Alonso, he's not the player he was when he joined us. He seems to come out of his shell more when he's not playing alongside Gerrard. I thought he'd have a better season this year, as there's no WC and with the added pressure of Mascherano, Levia, Sissoko and the return of Gerrard to CM.

Still we're only two games in, there's a long way to go yet.

[roman]

I like Xabi, I really do, but as a long term central midfield partner for Steven Gerrard, for me it's Mascherano every single time.

Totally agree. Alonsa has not been at his best for some time. Masher should play with Gerrard.

[AFII]

I like Xabi, I really do, but as a long term central midfield partner for Steven Gerrard, for me it's Mascherano every single time.

Rafa should play Mascherano week in week out, why?

He is the best holding midfielder in the world and Xabi isn't a holding midfielder.

Xabi should only play in a five man midfield if everyone is fit.

[Joe King]

Xabi is slow, sluggish and switches off a lot of the time. He needs to buck up because when Little Chief is fit, he will start

[Shaggy]

Xabi is my favourite player (about to be usurped by Torres though, I'm quite sure ) but I agree. I was surprised he was picked ahead of Mascherano today and I imagine he'll sit it out at Sunderland next week in favour of Masher.

[Fiddy]

Xabi is slow, sluggish and switches off a lot of the time. He needs to buck up because when Little Chief is fit, he will start

I was still screaming at the telly for him to wake up 70 mins into the game...I thought everyone else was good to excellent but he was poor, after a couple of minutes he got a massive 'man on' from the crowd but still let Dogbreath catch him from behind...and too many of his long passes went frustratingly astray. It was lucky their central midfield was fairly ****e cos otherwise he'd have been shown up even more