Alonso!

[JPK]

I agree with the sentiment of this post - Xabi is our metronome and he makes us tick - but in fairness he started at Portsmouth and we were **** then too while Xabi was really ****.

I'd love us to find a way of getting Xabi, Mascherano and Gerrard into the same side. The easy option would be Gerrard on the right but he seems to have decided to sulk every time he's asked to play there. He can be a major attacking threat coming from the right, but only if he's up for it. Pointless playing him there when all he does is sulk.

Another possibility would be Gerrard in a free role with Torres on his own up front, but SG's never really played well in that position.

But Gerrard has never played that role with a player like Torres.
Gerrard had a great understanding with Owen becuase he made good runs and had the pace to get past a defender.Torres would be the same.
I would give him a run of games in that position.

[Parm]

But Gerrard has never played that role with a player like Torres.
Gerrard had a great understanding with Owen becuase he made good runs and had the pace to get past a defender.Torres would be the same.
I would give him a run of games in that position.

that'll open up a huge can of worms, we'd end up wit the usual arguement of SG needing to play in the middle and we'd be back here again debating if Xabi/Mascher momo or lucas should partner him!!

[JPK]

that'll open up a huge can of worms, we'd end up wit the usual arguement of SG needing to play in the middle and we'd be back here again debating if Xabi/Mascher momo or lucas should partner him!!

It's down the middle

[Parm]

It's down the middle

yup it'll be central...

[fowlen]

i think Alonso is a quality player and definitely offers that extra vision and creativity. Any creative player will give the ball away at times, because they will always try do something that some oher players just can't.....and to be perfectly honest, Xabi does not lose possession that much.

There is no doubt that we are missing him, and it shows just how much we actually rely on him. However I think after a couple of games we'll be OK without him, and I believe Benayoun will get alot more playing time with Xabi being injured.

That being said, the sooner XA is back the better

[Joe King]

Gerrard's best position isn't on the right but at this moment in time it looks like we might have to play him there because of the lack of delivery or end product Pennant is supplying. Gerrard is best breaking out of the midfield; exploding and leading an attack from midfield giving a swashbuckling performance and single handedly winning the game for Liverpool. As we seen last season, he can't deliver this sort of performance from the right.

Come January Rafa now knows that he needs to buy a good attacking left winger and right winger. Babel is not a winger. Babel is more Henry-esque not Barnes-esque. Pennant lacks the level of consistancy to play at a big club, Benayoun doesn't seem to be the answer on either wing and is probably better playing behind the striker which won't happen under the current system. Leto looks like he has the potential of being the winger that we have been crying out for but I still think he needs this season and a full season next season for him to be established as the left winger for the club.

Quaresma anyone?

[redblood]

Something like....?

--------------Reina-----------

Finnan----Carra---Agger----Arbeloa

----------Mascherano---------

------Gerrard----Alonso-------

Kuyt--------Torres------Babel

??

I wouldn't want Kuyt out there though, as the wide forward who tucks in without the ball. He has none of the attributes required for that role, IMO.

I would suggest Kuyt in the centre of that 3 Torres pulls wide anyway and Babel would as well.
Also Kuyt has played a wider position than that but obviously they would interchange and I think be very hard to play against.
I think that would be an awesome setup for us and it would suit Babel and Torres with their pace and skill.
It looks good whether it would work or not is another thing.

[redblood]

just what I was thinking. Xabi seems to be the one who can take the ball and step away from the oppo into space and ping his passes about with ease.

Xabi does what a lot of players don't seem to be able to do these days create space for himself.
It pisses me off that people say he loses the ball a lot because he simply doesn't he cool and composed in possession and we miss him a lot in MF.
Mascher may have more energy but has yet to show his range of passing or the same level of composure Xabi has.(That's not a dig at Mascher BTW)

[Parm]

Xabi does what a lot of players don't seem to be able to do these days create space for himself.
It pisses me off that people say he loses the ball a lot because he simply doesn't he cool and composed in possession and we miss him a lot in MF.
Mascher may have more energy but has yet to show his range of passing or the same level of composure Xabi has.(That's not a dig at Mascher BTW)

preaching to the choir bro, I have all the time in the world for Xabi. I'm just glad he's on our side and not playing for anyone else/

[Howard_lfc]

Gerrard's best position isn't on the right but at this moment in time it looks like we might have to play him there because of the lack of delivery or end product Pennant is supplying. Gerrard is best breaking out of the midfield; exploding and leading an attack from midfield giving a swashbuckling performance and single handedly winning the game for Liverpool. As we seen last season, he can't deliver this sort of performance from the right.

Quaresma anyone?

The season before last he scored 23 goals, was named player of the year, won the fa cup and scored goal of the season. I think that proves SG can deliver from the right hand side - dont you?

[pezzzer]

xabi does alot of the ****y work, cancelling out balls etc imo, we sorely missed him against manc brum and tbh xabi and masch/momo in the middle with stevie out on the right is our best formation, no arguments

[Mumsafan]

When he plays we say that he should have played better, that he should score more in the premiership etc.

When he does not play we say that we miss his creative and precise passing, his perfect long balls...


Life's like that!


He is a wonderful player though.

The team seems to stutter without him!

I heard him last night talking about his pregnant missus. We have a Spanish friend from the same town as Alonso - they sound exactly the same!

Useless drivel that really - but I've not got much to do today.

Sorry.